CBP Announces Modifications to the ACS Reconciliation Prototype Test
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a general notice that announces various modifications to the Automated Commercial System (ACS) Reconciliation prototype test.
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Use of Reconciliations to Make Post-Entry U.S.-Chile FTA Claims
CBP is modifying the Reconciliation test, effective October 4, 2004, by expanding the issues subject to Reconciliation to include post-entry importation 1520(d) claims arising under the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (UCFTA).
(CBP emphasizes that once an importer flags an entry summary for UCFTA issues, indicating that it is pursuing the post-entry section 1520(d) claim through the Reconciliation process, the only means of perfecting the UCFTA claim is by completing the Reconciliation process by filing a timely Reconciliation entry and that CBP will not accept a claim filed under the ordinary section 1520(d) claim procedure.)
Programming for UCFTA Reconciliations not expected to be completed by October 4. CBP sources state that since programming for UCFTA Reconciliations is not expected to be completed by October 4, 2004, participants wishing to file UCFTA Reconciliations will have to follow the NAFTA Reconciliation process by flagging the entry summary for NAFTA. Once programming for UCFTA reconciliations is completed, participants will be notified with instructions on how to make a post-entry UCFTA Reconciliation claim.
NAFTA 1520(d) and UCFTA 1520(d) claims cannot be made on the same Reconciliation entry. CBP also states that a NAFTA 1520(d) claim and a UCFTA 1520(d) claim cannot be made together on the same Reconciliation entry and must instead be filed as separate Reconciliation entries.
Changes for Submitting Reconciliation Spreadsheets
CBP is also announcing in its general notice other changes to the Reconciliation test program procedures relative to the submission of Reconciliation spreadsheets that take effect on October 4, 2004.
(A Reconciliation entry is composed of three parts: a paper copy of the Header, the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) transmission of the entry including the Association File of underlying entries, and a summarized Line Item Spreadsheet.)
CDs must be used instead of floppy disks. CBP states that because floppy disks are destroyed by x-ray and irradiation applications now used to screen government mail, effective October 4, 2004, participants must use CDs (and not floppy disks) for submitting Reconciliation spreadsheets.
In a separate notice posted to its Web site, CBP announces, effective September 1, 2004, that only one floppy disk/CD containing the Reconciliation spreadsheet will be required with the Reconciliation entry. CBP states that it has established a secure method to electronically transfer the Reconciliation spreadsheet file for Census to download and, as a result, CBP no longer requires two floppy disks/CDs to be provided.
Name identifying spreadsheet on CD must be Reconciliation entry number, only two formats allowed. CBP states that it will upload the spreadsheet data on the CD to a secure Web site where it will be identified according to Reconciliation entry number. Therefore, CBP states that participants must save the spreadsheet on the CD according to the Reconciliation entry number in .txt or .xls format. According to CBP, use of these formats is required to better protect information from computer viruses.
CBP further states that the CDs must be labeled as previously required in its ACS Reconciliation Prototype: A Guide to Compliance which is available on CBP's Web site (http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/cargo_summary/reconciliation/reference_desk/acs_recon_ops_guide.ctt/acs_recon_ops_guide.pdf)
New Address for NY/Newark Reconciliation Submissions, New E-Mail Address for Recon.Help
CBP is also announcing a new mailing address for Reconciliation submissions for importers assigned to the port of New York/Newark (Port 1001), which is effective immediately: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 1100 Raymond Blvd., Newark, NJ 07201
CBP states that participants may still transmit the ABI portion of their Reconciliations to Port 1001.
Finally, CBP is announcing a new e-mail address for Recon.Help. According to CBP, effective immediately, the new e-mail address is Recon.Help@dhs.gov.
CBP contact - Richard Wallio (202) 344-2556
CBP general notice (FR Pub 09/02/04) available at
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-19977.pdf.
CBP notice on 09/01/04 reduction in number of disks/CDs required available at