CBP CSMS Messages and Web Postings

1. CBP to Introduce ACE Enhancements to Prepare for M1 Deployment

The September TAO update also covers topics such as the new ACE password policy, opening a trouble ticket, ad hoc reporting telephone training, revisions to the recently revised 102 draft transaction sets, etc. (September update available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/docs/17271_695520385/September08_TAOv7.pdf)

2. Presidio Port of Entry Remains Closed to Commercial Traffic

CBP has posted to its Unified Business Resumption Message Web site a message announcing that as of 5:00 p.m. EST on October 6, 2008, the Presidio Port of Entry is closed to commercial traffic due to flooding from Hurricane Ike. However, the port is open to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. CBP also issued a press release on Presidio reopening to certain traffic. In addition, CBP issued an alert providing an update on Hurricane Ike port closures. The alert adds that the Galveston Seaport is still closed. (UBRM Web site available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_outreach/bus_resumption/southern_highway/; Press release, dated 10/06/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/10062008.xml; Alert, 9:00 a.m. EST on 10/06/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/alerts/port_conditions/port_conditions_ike.xml)

3. Weekly TRQ/TPL Commodity Report as of October 6, 2008

CBP has issued its weekly tariff rate quota and tariff preference level commodity report as of October 6, 2008. This report includes TRQs on various products such as beef, sugar, dairy products, peanuts, cotton, cocoa products, tobacco, certain BFTA, DR-CAFTA, Israel FTA, JFTA, MFTA, SFTA, UAFTA (AFTA) and UCFTA (Chile FTA) non-textile TRQs, etc. Each report also includes the AGOA, ATPDEA, BFTA, DR-CAFTA, CBTPA, Haitian HOPE, MFTA, NAFTA, SFTA, and UCFTA TPLs and TRQs for qualifying apparel and/or other textile articles, the TRQs on worsted wool fabrics, etc. (Weekly commodity report available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/commodity/)

4. Updated TRQ/TPL "Threshold to Fill" List

CBP has posted an updated version of its TRQ/TPL "threshold to fill" list, a quick reference to monitor tariff rate quotas and tariff preference levels that are approaching the restraint limit or have filled the in-quota (low duty) rate. The list is divided into two sections - quotas that are at least 85% filled and quotas that are closed. (List, posted 10/06/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/commodity/trq_thresh_fill.ctt/trq_thresh_fill.pdf)

5. Fourth Quarter Interest Rates for Additional Duty Payments

CBP has posted an updated list of the interest rates for additional duty payments owed to Customs as a result of reconciliation. The update states that for the October 1 - December 31, 2008 period the interest rate is 6%. According to CBP, refund interest is calculated by CBP, but interest on additional payments is calculated by the reconciliation filer, using the rates provided in CBP's notice. (Notice, dated 10/03/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/cargo_summary/reconciliation/technical_information/interest_rates.xml)

6. 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:

September 17 - October 8, 2008 ACE ad hoc report telephone training.

October 27, 2008 ACE Information Seminar in Houston, TX - conference flyerwas also posted. Free. (A CSMS message on this seminar was also issued.)

Topics for the seminar include the current status of ACE, future releases of ACE, ACE reports (demonstrations), etc.

(Schedule, dated 10/03/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/ace_on_the_road.xml)

7. Other CBP Postings and Messages

ACE service restored. CBP has issued a CSMS message stating that due to networking issues, trade users were unable to log into the ACE system. Service was restored at 8:42 a.m. EDT on October 7, 2008. (CBP issued a CSMS message at 8:14 a.m. EDT on October 7th announcing the problem.) (CSMS messages, hyperlinked, 08-000263 and 08-000261)

ACE e-Manifest problem fixed. CBP has issued a CSMS message stating that trade users were experiencing difficulty creating and submitting a manifest in ACE. Service was restored at 1:00 p.m. EDT on October 5, 2008. (CBP previously issued a CSMS message announcing the problem and another message providing an update on the problem. In addition, CBP issued two messages regarding trade users not receiving 355 responses when submitting their manifests via EDI and its resolution.) (CSMS messages, hyperlinked, 08-000256, 08-000254, 08-000250, and 08-000252)

Printable version of ACE PMS training modules. CBP has posted printable versions of the following modules for its ACE Release 3 Periodic Payments Web-based training: Module 1 - Periodic Monthly Statement and Module 2 - No Pay. (Modules, posted 10/02/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/ace_welcome/ace_periodic_monthly_statement/r3pp_wbt/)

September TSN session focused on secure trade, ACE. CBP has issued a notice announcing that the September 9-11, 2008 Trade Support Network plenary session focused on secure trade. TSN members were informed on the latest developments to ACE - its roles, and its future. (Notice, dated 10/02/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/whats_new/secure_trade.xml)

RPMs installed in Mobile, AL. CBP reports that on October 2, 2008, it unveiled the first radiation portal monitors at the Port of Mobile, Alabama. (News release, dated 10/03/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/10032008_2.xml)

Global Entry kiosks now available at additional airports. CBP reports that Global Entry kiosks are now available at four additional international U.S. airports - Los Angeles International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Chicago O'Hare International and Miami International. (News release, dated 10/02/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/10022008_3.xml)

CBP launches interactive WHTI widget. CBP reports that it has launched a traveler-centric desktop widget as part of the integrated "Let's Get You Home" advertising and outreach campaign. As the traveler's departure date approaches, the automated widget provides a trip countdown timer and weather at the traveler's destination and reminds the user to obtain appropriate travel documents, as required under Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. (News release, dated 10/02/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/10022008_4.xml)