APHIS Seeks Participants for ACE Pilot of 'Core' Functionalities

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking participants for its pilot on electronic submission in the Automated Commercial Environment of information required by APHIS Animal Care, Biotechnology and Regulatory Services, Plant Protection and Quarantine, and Veterinary Services, it said (here). Through the pilot, which APHIS says will begin “no earlier than Oct. 2,” APHIS and CBP will test filing in ACE through APHIS’ Partner Government Agency (PGA) message set and the Document Imaging.

The pilot, which will test APHIS’ “Core” functionalities, was previously scheduled to begin in September, according to a schedule periodically updated by CBP (here). APHIS already began a pilot of ACE’s Lacey Act declaration functionalities in August (see 1508050019).

Participants in the APHIS Core pilot will be able to use DIS to electronically transmit APHIS forms 2006 (U. S. Veterinary Biological Product Permit); VS 17-29 (Declaration of Importation); VS 17-32 (Application for Inspection and Dipping); Producers and Manufacturers Statements (sometimes called STATs); and validation documentation, including all documents required to determine entry suitability, such as bills, packing lists, invoices, ingredients lists, and proofs of origin, among others, said the agency. APHIS’ PGA Message Set will be used for submission of other data already submitted to the agency through the Automated Commercial System (ACS), such as importer name, port of arrival, country of origin, quantity, commodity name, scientific name, and permit numbers, it said.

The pilot will include all modes of transport at the selected port(s), and all plants, animals, and plant and animal products when imported at one of the selected ports, said APHIS. Filers that wish to participate must send an email to ace.itds@aphis.usda.gov with the subject line “Request to Participate in APHIS PGA Message Set Test.” Requests should include the name of the organization, its point of contact for the pilot, and contact information (phone number and email address). Participants must also contact their assigned CBP client representative to ensure readiness to participate in a pilot, said APHIS.

Once ACE is required for all entry types, APHIS will still collect some paper documentation, such as phytosanitary certificates, and health certificates for live animals and animal products, due to Office of Management and Budget requirements, it said.