CBP Issues 'Important' ACE e-Manifest Guidelines for Truck Carriers, Etc. (Notice on Mandatory e-Manifest Expected in Early Summer)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued what it terms "important" guidelines for carriers participating in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) electronic truck manifest (e-manifest) program. Preceding the guidelines is information on CBP's timeline for e-Manifest as well as its explanation of the need for this guidance, which is highlighted below.
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All land border ports to have e-Manifest in 2006. CBP states that e-Manifest functionality is being deployed to all land border ports during calendar year 2006.
Notice on mandatory e-Manifest for 2002 Trade Act purposes expected in early summer 2006, etc. According to CBP, it is performing outreach to truck carriers and other trade partners encouraging the use of the currently voluntary e-manifest.
At the same time, CBP is working to make the use of the e-manifest mandatory for 2002 Trade Act purposes, which requires that certain advance manifest (cargo) information be provided to CBP, and has repeatedly informed the trade of this effort. The Federal Register notice mandating the use of e-manifest for the 2002 Trade Act's mandatory advance cargo (manifest) information requirements for truck carriers has an anticipated publication date in early summer 2006.
In addition, CBP states that on June 15, 2006 Phase 4 of the 2002 Trade Act enforcement for truck carriers, that disallows the use of facsimiles indicating that a carrier had sent Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS) information to a broker in lieu of the use of ACE e-manifest as an accepted compliance method, will be implemented for ACE-implemented ports. (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/17/06 news 06051700 for most recent BP summary on Phase 4.)
Need to quickly identify e-Manifest transactions. According to CBP, the below guidance will assist truck carriers and CBP in identifying e-manifest transactions. CBP Officers have been provided with this guidance and will be looking to carriers to provide one of the two documents mentioned. Following the guidance will allow CBP Officers to quickly identify and process e-manifest shipments. Presentation of one of the documents mentioned will also provide proof of e-manifest filing for Phase 4 enforcement purposes.
Text of CBP's ACE E-Manifest Guidelines For Truck Carriers
After successfully transmitting an e-manifest, carriers or their agents should prepare and provide the driver either a CBP Form 7533 (Inward Cargo Manifest) or a cover sheet printed on plain paper. These documents should be annotated with the following minimum information in at least 22-point type:
- "ACE Electronic Manifest" should be printed on document
- "Trip number:" and Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) unique identification number for trip. This should be clearly labeled as "trip number" and must be in text. Note: this is not the shipment control number or Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS) number.
- Driver's Name
- Truck (Tractor) License Plate (Must be the one that is transmitted to CBP)
A code "3 of 9" bar code may be provided in addition to the text for these elements.
In addition, the following data elements may be added in smaller letters (12 point type maximum):
- Shipment Control Number (SCN): (PAPS or other shipment ID)
- Shipment Description for each SCN
DO NOT PLACE PAPS BARCODE LABELS ON ANY FORMS TO BE HANDED TO CBP OFFICERS IN PRIMARY BOOTHS!
If invoices and PAPS bar-coded manifests are provided to the driver they should remain in the driver's control and not be given to CBP except upon request. CBP Officers will use these documents for CBP system downtime or validation/examination of shipments.
Free and Secure Trade (FAST) manifest cover sheets will continue to be used for FAST shipments.
CBP Guidelines for ACE e-Manifests (dated 05/18/06) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/communications_to_trade/advance_info/truck_guidance.xml