CBP Notice Outlines Schedule for Mandatory Use of ACE

CBP formally spelled out its revised timeline for making the Automated Commercial Environment the sole Electronic Data Interchange for providing import data required by CBP and some other agencies in a notice (here). The notice follows CBP's recent decision to delay some mandatory use dates for ACE following readiness concerns (see 1602080042). "While significant progress has been made, continued concerns about trade readiness have necessitated an updated timeline for the mandatory transition to ACE for electronic entry and entry summary filing," said CBP. "As a result, CBP has developed a staggered transition strategy, to give the trade additional time to adjust their business practices and complete programming for entry and entry summary filing in ACE."

The notice includes a list of different entry types and when each will no longer be supported by the Automated Commercial System (ACS). CBP also listed the " "entry types will not be automated in either ACS or ACE," as a result of low shipment volume. Those entry types are 04, 05, 24, 25, 26, 33, 64, 65 and 66, said CBP.

CBP also announced the end to ACE pilots for National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Lacey Act data. "After conclusion of a pilot, electronic entry and entry summary filings for merchandise subject to the specified [Partner Government Agency] import requirements will no longer be permitted in ACS," said CBP. As a result, ACE will be required for Lacey Act and NHTSA data associated with 01, 03, 11, 23, 51 and 52 entry types starting March 31, said CBP.

(Federal Register 02/29/16)