Some Agencies Likely to Require DIS Submissions in Interim Before PGA Message Set

Some government agencies may require document image system (DIS) form submissions as of Nov. 1 in place of Partner Government Agency message set filings during an interim stage, said Elizabeth McQueen of CBP's Automated Commercial Environment business office during a webinar. "For a given form, that's currently in paper that's going to be moved into electronic processing, it actually could be that we go PGA Message Set or it could be DIS, depending on the form and depending on the circumstance," she said. There are a number of reasons CBP would initially require DIS submissions, including "the readiness of the PGA to take in the individual data elements or it could be a rulemaking," she said. As of Nov. 1, CBP will require that all electronic cargo release filings be in ACE.

CBP will first complete development of the U.S. single window before it addresses interoperability with other government's single windows, such as with Mexico, said CBP Senior Trade Advisor Maria Luisa Boyce. "We're not there yet," but CBP is using World Customs Organization data standards to help guide the agency's progress toward a single window, she said. The agency is planning to hold another similar webinar on March 24 with the Food and Drug Administration, she said.