Path Forward on Drawback Simplification in ACE Unclear, CBP Says

Plans for deploying the drawback simplification changes in ACE remain an open question due to uncertain funding sources, a CBP spokeswoman said. Those simplification changes were part of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (TFTEA) and regulations are expected to be in place as required by Feb. 24, 2018, but it's unclear how those changes in ACE would be paid for (see 1705090022). "The development of proposed regulations to implement the TFTEA drawback program is well underway," the spokeswoman said. "Given that development and deployment of Drawback Simplification in ACE per TFTEA, in February 2018, is an unfunded mandate, CBP continues to assess the path forward."

Timing for a last ACE deployment, which includes drawback but not the TFTEA changes, also remains up in the air, she said. That ACE deployment, which also includes liquidation, reconciliation and collections, was delayed indefinitely earlier this year (see 1701110039). "CBP is aggressively working the integration and regression testing needed for the success of this deployment," she said. "The rescheduled deployment date will be published in a Federal Register Notice at least 30 days in advance of the actual deployment/mandatory transition."