CBP Issues Report to Trade On ACE/ITDS Standard Data Set
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site a report for the trade regarding the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)/International Trade Data System (ITDS) standard data set (SDS) which CBP presented to the Trade Support Network (TSN) during its September 26-29, 2005 meeting.
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CBP states that the report contains the trade-reported elements of the ITDS SDS updated through September 2005.
According to CBP, system generated data elements, those provided by the PGAs, and other elements used for intra-government communication are not included.
CBP states that the September 28, 2005 version of the SDS reflects the informational needs of the following 20 participating government agencies (PGAs):
Agricultural Marketing Service
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Food Safety Inspection Service
Foreign Trade Zones Board
U.S. Census Bureau
International Trade Administration, Import Administration
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Environmental Protection Agency
Federal Communications Commission
Federal Maritime Commission
Food and Drug Administration
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
International Trade Commission
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Maritime Administration
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Office of Foreign Assets Control
(CBP sources noted by phone that although CBP is not one of the agencies mentioned above, its information needs are being addressed through the integration of ITDS with ACE (which represents CBP's informational needs).)
SDS will be adjusted to meet additional PGA requirements. CBP states that its representatives are in the process of reviewing the SDS to incorporate CBP requirements.
According to CBP, the SDS is being mapped to the data model developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO). CBP states that as more agencies are approved for incorporation into ITDS, the SDS will be adjusted to meet their border information needs and if any needs outside the current data set are identified, they will be normalized with the needs of the current PGAs. Once normalized, the set will be taken to the ITDS Board of Directors for its review and approval.
SDS currently includes over 600 data elements. CBP's report contains a table that provides for each of the over 600 SDS data elements the following: SDS reference, SDS data element name, SDS element description, the trade source for the data element, and the PGA that requires the data element.
SDS will cover data needs for imports, exports, and land, sea, and air in-transit. According to CBP, the SDS will cover PGA data needs for imports, exports, and in-transits by land, sea, and air. It will encompass information about conveyance, crew, and cargoes. These data elements are based on each agency's legal authority to collect and/or access this information.
No single transaction will require reporting of all SDS elements. CBP notes that no single international trade transaction will require the reporting of all parts of the SDS.
CBP requests suggestions, comments, and questions by November 15, 2005. CBP states that it welcomes suggestions for improvement, streamlining, and enhanced accuracy and states that comments and questions can be submitted to either or both of the Trade Support Network-ITDS committee co-chairs, Sandra Scott (Sandra.Scott@Yellowroadway.com) and Max Castillo (mcastill@ora.fda.gov). CBP sources have stated by phone that such suggestions, comments, etc. should be submitted by November 15, 2005.
CBP sources further state that they expect to present a revised version of the ACE/ITDS SDS to the TSN at its February 2006 meeting.
ITDS SDS trade report (dated 09/28/05) available at