CBP Posts "Topic" Documents on the ACE Secure Data Portal, Etc.

(The ACE Secure Data Portal, essentially a customized Web page, connects CBP, the trade, and participating government agencies by providing a single, centralized on-line access point for communications and information related to cargo shipments. There are 11 different account types, including brokers, importers, carriers, etc.

As an ACE portal account holder, importers can pay duties and fees on a monthly basis, run customized transactional and financial reports, maintain importer data within their account, etc. Brokers can maintain monthly statements and make payments on behalf of their ACE and non-ACE customers, access more reference information, review CBP entry summary data in near real-time, etc.

Currently, ACE account users can file electronic manifests (e-Manifests) at all land border ports; it is expected to be deployed for air, rail, and sea cargo processing in the future.)

The following is an overview of these ACE "Topic" documents:

ACE 101 - provides an introduction to ACE. An overview of ACE is provided, as well as information on the ACE Secure Data Portal, current ACE features (account management, reports tool, Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS), Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue (ESAR) A1, etc.), future ACE features (ESAR A2, Cargo Control Release), and additional ACE resources.

ACE initial account access - providesinformation on how to access an ACE Secure Data Portal account for the first time and password information. Specifically, the document covers account creation, password retrieval, the initial ACE Secure Data Portal login process, creating and changing a password, and how to handle login failures.

Managing user access - provides instructions on how to add new contacts, create ACE Secure Data Portal account users, assign access privileges, and deactivate Portal account users.

Managing cross account access - provides instructions on how to grant, accept, update, and revoke cross account access. Cross account access allows users to access multiple ACE Secure Data Portal accounts based on privileges granted by one or more Trade Account Owners (TAOs).

Merging ACE accounts - provides information on how to merge multiple ACE Secure Data Portal accounts. Also, it provides information on the CBP review process for a merge account request.

Business Activity Log - provides instructions on how to view, create, search, and update a BAL. The BAL, previously known as the Significant Activity Log, contains a historical log of information exchanged between CBP and the ACE Portal account.

PMS overview - provides an overview of the benefits of participating in and information on the Portal for PMS processing. It also includes steps for obtaining, viewing, and processing PMSs.

How to participate in PMS - provides instructions for importers who wish to participate in PMS either by applying themselves or through their brokers. Those with ACE Secure Data Portal accounts can apply to participate in PMS; importers that have their customs duties and fees paid by their broker can participate in PMS as a non-portal account.

Running ACE Portal reports - providesinstructions on how to run ACE Secure Data Portal reports using the new ACE reports tool. According to the document, ACE portal users have many report options when selecting the "Reports" tab in ACE. These options include over 100 downloadable and customizable reports for use by importers and brokers and over 20 reports for carriers. Among other things, this document provides instructions on running a report, adding data elements to a report, scheduling a report, and exporting a report.

ACE "Topic" documents available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/about/modernization/ace_welcome/