Delay in ACE e-Manifest Updates on (1) New Method for Filing Truck In-Bonds and (2) Conveyance Harmonization
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection sources, two truck Automated Commercial Environment updates that were scheduled to be implemented on Saturday, January 26, 2008 are now rescheduled for Saturday, February 2, 2008.
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The following are highlights of the updates that are now scheduled for February 2nd:
New Method for Filing a Truck In-Bond Message via ACE or EDI
One ACE update will enable electronic in-bond requests filed via the Automated Broker Interface message QP1 to update a shipment record that is reported in a truck ACE e-Manifest with a shipment release type of Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS2).
Under this new method, a truck carrier will be able to create a shipment record that is identified with a PAPS shipment release type. When an electronic in-bond request is filed using the ABI message QP and the identical Shipment Control Number (SCN) is reported in the QP message, the PAPS shipment will be automatically linked to the QP in-bond record.
(Currently, ACE e-Manifest procedures require the carrier or his agent to link a QP in-bond shipment to an e-Manifest.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 01/29/08 news, 08012905, for BP summary announcing this ACE update, with descriptions of the available methods.)
Conveyance Harmonization
The other ACE update will standardize the record conveyances3 in ACE so that there will be one record per conveyance. (Uniqueness will be based on the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the conveyance.)
With this update, multiple carriers that have recorded the same truck in their ACE accounts in the past will be linked to the one consolidated conveyance record. CBP adds that the most obvious change for ACE Secure Data Portal users will be that before adding a new conveyance to ACE, they will be required to "search" for the truck similar to the way a Portal user must "search" for a driver today.
1QP messages in ABI are messages that request a shipment move under bond from its U.S. port of arrival to its ultimate destination.
2PAPS shipments are referred to as "Regular Bills" in the ANSI X12 and UNEDIFACT Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Implementation Guidelines.
3Conveyance is the term used to refer to the power unit of a truck. This is usually the cab or tractor portion of a tractor trailer. In the case of a box truck or dry van, it is usually the complete unit.
CBP notice on the 3 methods for filing an in-bond (dated 01/23/08) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/about/modernization/carrier_info/electronic_truck_manifest_info/inbond_info/the_three_methods.xml
CBP guidance on QP/PAPS update (dated January 2008) available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/about/modernization/carrier_info/electronic_truck_manifest_info/inbond_info/guide_on_how.ctt/guide_on_how.ppt
CBP guidance on the conveyance harmonization update (dated January 2008) available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/about/modernization/carrier_info/electronic_truck_manifest_info/conveyance.ctt/conveyance.ppt
BP Note
In December 2007, CBP issued an ABI administrative message announcing that on January 26, 2008, a programming enhancement was scheduled to go to production that would extend to truck carriers and brokers the capability to arrive and export in-bonds by container/equipment.
BP is checking with CBP sources to see if this will be part of the scheduled February 2, 2008 ACE e-Manifest updates and will update subscribers when new information is available.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 12/19/07 news, 07121905, for BP summary of this ABI administrative message.)