CBP CSMS Messages and Web Postings

1. ACE Response Time Slow, Service Expected to be Restored Same Day

2. CBP Posts Summary of AESTIR Changes for June 3, 2008

CBP has posted a summary of changes to the Automated Export System Trade Interface Requirements (AESTIR) to its Web site, indicating that Version 1.0 was changed on June 3, 2008 as follows:

Appendix F - License and License Exemption Type Codes and Reporting Guidelines

Revisions have been made to License codes C54, C55, and C56. Allowed Export Information Codes should read All, except IW.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 06/03/08 news, 08060320, for BP summary of a Census AES broadcast announcing a new Export Information Code (IW) for shipments destined to international waters.)

Appendix C - ISO Country Codes

The list of ISO country codes has been amended to add Kosovo (KV) effective April 1, 2008.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 06/02/08 news, 08060299 6, for BP summary of Census AES broadcast on this addition.)

(CBP summary of changes available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/automated/aes/tech_docs/aestir/june04_intro/june04_summary_of_chngs.ctt/june04_summary_of_chngs.doc)

3. Truck e-Manifest Filer Error Regarding Invalid Carrier Code

CBP has issued a Truck Manifest CSMS message regarding the situation where a truck e-Manifest filer, usually someone that is filing on behalf of another carrier, receives the error message "Invalid Carrier Code - Manifest Rejected."

CBP states that the most common reason this error is generated is because information regarding Standard Carrier Alpha Codes (SCAC) that are sent to ACE are not always being recorded properly. SCAC records that have a MC in the record are being incorrectly stored in ACE. This problem has been identified by CBP and is currently scheduled to be resolved on July 12, 2008.

CBP notes that the error causes the SCAC to fail in ACE but does not cause any issue in the Automated Commercial System (ACS) with the filing of the entry. Incorrect SCAC records are currently being corrected manually as soon as the letter from the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) is received by CBP.

CBP states that it is important for all companies that receive a new SCAC code to follow the directions on the letter that they receive from NMFTA. These instructions tell the carrier to forward the letter to the address provided in order for CBP to verify that the record has been entered into ACE correctly. The following is the contact information provided in the letter: CBP SCAC Processing, Customs and Border Protection, 7681 Boston Blvd, Beauregard 1st Floor Wing A, Springfield, VA 22153; email: AMS.SCAC@DHS.GOV; Fax: 703-650-3650. (CSMS 08-000100, dated 06/05/08, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17108&page=&srch_argv=08-000100&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby=.)

4. Updated "ACE on the Road" Event Schedule

CBP has posted an updated version of its "ACE on the Road" event schedule, which includes the following events:

June 4-13, 2008 ACE Ad Hoc Report Telephone Training (See ITT Online Archives or 06/04/08 news, 08060405, for BP summary of CBP deploying Phase 1 of ad hoc report capabilities.)

June 12, 2008 ACE Information Conference in Seattle, WA - conference flyerwas also posted. Free.

June 17, 2008 ACE Outreach Program with CBP in East Boston, MA - program flyerwas also posted. Cost is $75 for members/$125 for non-members

June 18, 2008 ACE Information Conference for Brokers (two sessions) in Blaine, WA - conference flyerwas also posted. Free.

June 19, 2008 ACE Information Conference for Carriers in Blaine, WA - conference flyerwas also posted. Free.

Topics for the conferences and outreach program include the current status of ACE, future releases of ACE, and ACE reports (live demo).

(Schedule, dated 06/05/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/ace_on_the_road.xml)

5. Other CBP Postings and Messages

Commissioner speaks on new CBP trade strategy. CBP has posted a document highlighting CBP Commissioner Basham's remarks at the American Association of Exporters and Importers' Annual Conference, at which he stated his interest in seeing CBP and the trade work in partnership on the development and implementation of a new CBP Trade Strategy. (CBP press release, dated 06/05/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/highlights/trade_security_key.xml.)

CBP officers seize counterfeit sneakers at Port of Oakland. CBP has issued a press release announcing that on May 27, 2008, CBP officers at the Port of Oakland executed a seizure of over 8,000 pairs of counterfeit Nike tennis shoes with a retail price of over $1 million. (Press release, dated 06/04/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/06042008_3.xml.)

Draft Assessment of SBInet Tucson West Project. CBP has posted numerous documents related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and the SBInet Tucson West project, including its proposed finding of no significant impact (FONSI), its draft environmental assessment (EA), etc. (SBInet Tucson West Project documents available athttp://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/sbi/nepa/tucson_west/.)

Updated FY 2008 preliminary CDSOA amounts available. CBP posted the fiscal year 2008 preliminary Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act (CDSOA) of 2000 (commonly referred to as the Byrd Amendment) amounts available as of April 30, 2008 which provides information on the amounts available to disburse by case. CBP has also posted a FAQ. (CDSOA amounts, dated 06/04/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/priority_trade/add_cvd/cont_dump/prelim_report08.ctt/prelim_report08.pdf; FAQ, dated 06/04/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/priority_trade/add_cvd/cont_dump/cont_dump_faq.xml.)

Boundary port of entry reopens. CBP has announced the reopening of the Boundary port of entry in Washington State on Monday, June 9, 2008 at 9 a.m. for motorists traveling into the U.S. from British Columbia. The reopened Boundary port of entry hours of operations are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. (Notice, dated 06/03/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/06032008_2.xml.)

CBP documents on Electronic System for Travel Authorization. CBP has posted a press release, fact sheet, and FAQ on DHS' recently announced Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). ESTA is a new online system that is part of the Visa Waiver Program and is required by the Implementing Regulations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. (CBP documents, as well as DHS' interim final rule, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/.)