ESAR A1 for ACE Accounts to be Deployed September 9th
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued an ABI administrative message announcing that it plans to deploy Entry Summary, Accounts, and Revenue (ESAR) A1 for Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) accounts on Sunday, September 9, 2007.
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(On August 24, 2007, CBP delayed the August 25/26 deployment of ESAR A1 to September as testing revealed a flaw in the system changes. At that time, CBP stated that it would communicate the new implementation date as soon as it was determined, with CBP sources expecting A1 to be deployed in mid-September.)
Applications for New ACE Account Types Will Not be Accepted until A1 Deployment Notice Issued
CBP's message states that applications for new ACE account types will not be accepted until CBP publishes the Federal Register notice announcing the deployment of ESAR A1 capabilities, which is expected in the near future.
(According to CBP's ESAR A1 frequently asked questions (FAQ) document, a revised ACE application will be available on the CBP Web site in the near future which will provide for the new account types that will be activated with the deployment of A1 capabilities. Eligibility requirements for each account type will be set forth in a Federal Register notice.)
CBP Expected to Suspend Certain ABI Processing During Implementation of A1
A previous ABI administrative message stated that during the time that A1 is being implemented ABI processing for ABI application identifiers KI (bond query) and TI (CBP Form 5106 add/update), transactions would be suspended and held in queue until ESAR A1 implementation for ACE accounts is completed.
(Note that CBP has modified its software to accommodate multiple A thru Z batches in a single MQ transmission; therefore the trade does not need to make changes to ensure that only one A thru Z batch is included in a single MQ message. See ITT's Online Archives or 08/27/07 news, 07082705, for BP summary announcing that A1 was delayed to September 2007, which provides details on this software modification.)
Previously-Listed ESAR A1 Functionality
CBP has previously stated that the ESAR A1 release includes the following functionality for ACE Accounts:
Account-related data. ACE Portal account holders will be provided electronic access to account-related master, reference, and transactional data submitted to CBP.
New account types, electronic CBP Form 5106. New or enhanced account types will be available. The new account types will include surety agents, third party manifest preparers, service bureaus/service centers, software providers, NVOCCs, bonded warehouses, etc.
The CBP Form 5106 (Importer ID Input Record) will be able to be submitted and updated electronically via the Portal or ABI.
PGAs will be able to store blanket LPC data. Participating Government Agencies will gain the ability to store blanket License, Permits and Certificate data at an account level using the ACE Secure Data Portal.
Broker license/permit data at national level. Broker data (exam, license and permit information) will be maintained and available to broker management offices and the broker management branch through ACE at a national level.
ACE users will need only one ID, password. Multiple user-identification numbers and passwords to access multiple ACE accounts will be replaced by a single user ID and password.
Automated merging of accounts. The process for merging accounts within the ACE Secure Data Portal will be automated, eliminating the need for a systems administrator to move data.
Truck drivers will be able to manage their own accounts, etc. Truck drivers will be able to create and maintain their own accounts, or assign the creation and maintenance function to a service provider, carrier, broker, or importer.
(For more information on ESAR A1's functionality see ITT's Online Archives or 08/09/07 and 06/11/07 news, 07080920 and 07061105, for BP summaries of CBP's discussion of the deployment of A1 at the ACE Exchange VI and V conferences, respectively.
See ITT's Online Archives or 08/29/07 news, 07082905, for BP summary announcing that ESAR A1 was expected to be deployed in mid-September and announcing that the fact sheets containing information on the new/enhanced ACE account types that will be available under A1 were reposted.
See ITT's Online Archives or 08/31/07 news, 07083105, for BP summary of CBP's FAQ on ESAR A1.
See ITT's Online Archives or 08/31/07 news, 07083145 1, for BP summary announcing that the ACE Account Services Desk was increasing staffing levels to prepare to for the new capabilities that are coming with the deployment of A1.
See ITT's Online Archives or 08/06/07 news, 07080610, for BP summary announcing that CBP updated its ACE Web-based training to include a course on A1.)
CBP ABI message (Adm: 07-0188, dated 09/06/07) available at http://www.brokerpower.com/cgi-bin/adminsearch/admmsg.view.pl?article=2007/2007-0188.ADM