Sea Carriers Slated to Have Broker Download Capabilities in Spring 2009 (Would Promote Pre-Filing of Entry Data)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice announcing that when it introduces enhanced Automated Commercial Environment electronic cargo processing capabilities in spring 2009 (e-Manifest: Ocean1), sea carriers will be able to use the broker download capability to facilitate communication and data sharing among carriers, brokers, and self-filing importers.
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(According to a recently posted ACE update presentation, M1 is currently scheduled to be deployed in April - June 2009. Note that Initial Entry Summary Types (ESAR A2.2) is also currently scheduled to be deployed in April 2009. The deployment of both releases was previously delayed. See ITT's Online Archives or 07/28/08 news, 08072805, for BP summary on a schedule slip of the M1 release, which also delayed the deployment of ESAR A2.2)
Broker Download Will Allow for Verification of Shipment Info in Advance of Cargo Arrival
Broker download will allow for the verification of shipment information in advance of cargo arrival. The broker download capability will promote the pre-filing of cargo release (entry) data as shipments can be reconciled and released as many as five days before conveyance arrival.
(CBP notes that broker download has been a staple of rail manifest and subsequently incorporated into the ACE e-Manifest: Truck program.)
Instructions for Carriers on Using Broker Download, Etc.
To use the broker download capability, sea carriers will be required to include broker identification information on the electronic bill of lading that is sent to CBP via the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Sea carriers will also be able to include an Automated Broker Interface (ABI) office routing number on the bill of lading (BOL) if the broker has more than one office.
Once ACE receives the BOL, the system converts the information into the Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirement (CATAIR) format and electronically sends it to the broker's ABI address. The broker or entry filer will then be able to extract BOL information to confirm that the BOL number and quantity are listed correctly and determine whether an entry has been filed or needs to be filed.
1This is part of the M1 (e-Manifest: Ocean and Rail) release.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/17/09 news, 09021705, for BP summary announcing the spring deployment of ESAR A2.2.
See ITT's Online Archives or 01/27/09 news, 09012715, for BP summary announcing that CBP deployed certain ESAR A2.1 (M1 Reference Data) capabilities on January 24, 2009.)
CBP notice (dated 03/04/09) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/whats_new/new_broker.xml
ACE update presentation (dated posted 02/27/09) available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/trade_support_network/ace_exec_sum.ctt/ace_exec_sum.ppt