CBP Posts ACE Update from its September 2008 Trade Support Network Meeting
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted the agenda, presentations, and materials used during the September 8 - 11, 2008 meeting of the Trade Support Network (TSN) held in Tyson's Corner, VA.
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(TSN is a group of trade representatives who provide input into the design and development of modernization projects, such as the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). CBP has been meeting with the TSN since May 14, 2001 regarding the development of ACE and has previously stated that the TSN has over 150 members of the trade community, including trade associations, importers, brokers, carriers, sureties, and others.)
ACE Status Update
The following are highlights of the information presented on ACE and its releases (see future issue of ITT for additional summaries of materials from the meeting):
e-Manifest: Ocean, Rail, Air and ESAR A2.2. Development efforts are ongoing for e-Manifest: Ocean and Rail for advance cargo information purposes (M1) and Initial Entry Summary Types (ESAR A2.2)1.
In July 2008, CBP announced that M1 was delayed due to software problems identified during testing. These software problems require additional testing to ensure capabilities function property. During the meeting, CBP also noted that the size of the release poses a challenge, as vessel and rail manifest alone consist of one million lines of code. Also, the addition of new requirements (i.e., gate outs, 102) adds to the delay. As a result of M1's delay, ESAR A2.2 is also delayed (it is dependent upon M1's resources).
CBP's current deployment schedule for these ACE releases is as follows:
| - M1 is scheduled for deployment in April - June 2009 |
| - A2.2 is scheduled for deployment in May/July 2009 - August/October 2009 |
| - e-Manifest: Air (M2.1) is scheduled for deployment in February - April 2010 |
ESAR A2.2 testing has begun. ESAR A2.2, the Initial Entry Summary Types, is currently being developed and tested, with development work scheduled to be completed in the fall 2008. Trade testing for "early adopters" is currently scheduled to start on December 1, 2008.
(See ITT's Online Archives 08/27/08 news, 08082700, for BP summary of CBP issuing its general notice on the ACE ESAR A2.2 test, in which it asked for volunteers to participate.)
According to a separately posted 2008 ACE Accomplishments fact sheet, during September 8 - 12, 2008, CBP conducted a review of ESAR A2.2 user interface screens with representatives from importer, broker, and software vendor communities. Participants were able to view and comment on the screens created for the automated CBP Form 28, Request for Information; CBP Form 29, Notice of Action; and CBP Form 4647, Notice to Mark and/or Notice to Redeliver (imported cargo).
HTS and AD/CVD release. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), Antidumping/ Countervailing Duty (AD/CVD) (A2.3.1) release, will provide complete HTS legal text and notes, the most current U.S. tariff rates, and interactive access and searches. Direct links to classification rulings will allow users to jump directly from a specific HTS item to the Customs Ruling Online Search System (CROSS) for determinations on product classification for that HTS item. The links will also enable a user to move from an HTS item in chapters 1-97 to the temporary, seasonal, or special situation tariff which applies for that item as listed in chapter 99.
e-Manifest: Ocean/Rail MMM coding. According to CBP, M1 Multi-Modal Manifest (MMM)2 coding is nearing completion - it is currently 80 to 85% complete. The expected completion time for such coding is mid-December.
e-Manifest: Ocean and Rail functionality. M1 functionality will consist of no less than what presently exists in the current Automated Commercial System (ACE)/Automated Manifest System (AMS) environment.
e-Manifest: Air update. As with M1, there is no less functionality than what presently exists in the current ACS/Air AMS environment for M2.1.
The requirements collection is complete and the functional use cases have been developed and are under review. Also, the business rules are being worked.
CBP exploring possible extension of ACE development schedule, etc. CBP is working with the Department of Homeland Security to explore all options for:
- extending the ACE development schedule
- adding additional resources
- reprioritizing development efforts based on value to CBP and trade community
CBP orders independent review of ACE. CBP has ordered a "fresh look" at ACE through an independent "red team" review. The review is a 90-120 assessment of ACE that will look at governance, program management, testing, cost/schedule, technical solutions, etc.
1Entry types 01 and 11
2M1 will be the first of the MMM releases to be deployed
(See ITT's Online Archives or 07/28/08 news, 08072805, for M1 and A2.2 being delayed.
See ITT's Online Archives or 09/04/08 news, 08090405, for BP summary of CBP updating its ACE FAQ.)
September 2008 TSN meeting documents available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/trade_support_network/session_highlights/sept08_tsn/
ACE Accomplishments fact sheet (dated 09/17/08) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/trade/ace_factsheets/ace_accomp/ace_accomp_08.xml