CBP Issues FAQ on ACE
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site a new set of frequently asked questions and answers (FAQs) about the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).
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According to CBP, its FAQ provides specific information on what ACE is, why it is essential, who it will affect, and when it will happen.
In its FAQ, CBP answers nine questions on ACE, including the following:
What systems will be affected?
CBP states that eventually, ACE will replace or integrate most current CBP trade processing systems, including the Automated Commercial System (ACS), the Automated Export System (AES), Border Release Advanced Screening and Selectivity (BRASS), the Customs Automated Forms Entry System (CAFES), Free and Secure Trade (FAST), and the Pre-arrival Processing System (PAPS).
In addition, ACE will interface with the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), the Automated Targeting System (ATS), the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS), the National Criminal Information Center (NCIC), and the Treasury Enforcement Communications System (TECS).
How will CBP transition from the current systems to ACE?
CBP responds that current systems and ACE will initially operate simultaneously to ensure there is no degradation in CBP operations. In the transition phase, ACE will access existing systems to retrieve data. According to CBP, the transition is a carefully planned, multi-phased process that will enable CBP to verify operability of ACE capabilities before shifting functions from ACS and other systems to ACE.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 08/01/05 news, 05080110, for BP summary of a recent CBP notice announcing that the ACE/National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) test is being deployed in the Douglas, AZ and Pembina, ND clusters.)
ACE FAQ (dated 07/26/05) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/about/modernization/ace/ace_faq.xml