CBP Says ESAR A2.2 Portal Changes to Increase Port Uniformity and Nationwide Compliance Visibility
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice stating that ESAR A2.2 (Initial Entry Summary Types) ACE entry summary processing capabilities will provide CBP with nationwide visibility of post summary processing activities. This will enhance efficiency and increase uniformity through modernized automation, which supports consistent implementation of trade policy and procedures.
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CBP recently announced that ESAR A2.2 (certain portal changes to occur nationwide, filing changes to begin at Buffalo for 39 volunteers) will be deployed on April 12, 2009. (See ITT's Online Archives or 04/03/09 news, 09040305, for BP summary.)
According to CBP the following features and benefits are possible only when an entry summary is filed in ACE and will be included in the deployment of initial ACE entry summary processing capabilities.
Use of Portal for Forms to Result in Quicker Resolutions, Stored Responses
ACE portal importer account holders will have the option to receive and respond to CBP Forms 28, 29 and 4647 electronically through the ACE Secure Data Portal. Being able to communicate CBP requests and actions via the portal will provide for quicker resolution of entry summary verifications and transactional issues compared to the current paper-based process.
Electronic responses will be stored with associated entry summaries, enabling them to be shared within CBP nationwide and reducing the possibility that an importer would be asked to provide the same information at more than one port.
Ports to be Able to Trace the History of a CBP Review, Will Help with Consistency
Establishing a national repository of information will allow every port to trace the history of a CBP team review to its conclusion. (During a team review, an import specialist uses these forms to interact with filers to ensure imported goods are recorded correctly, modify incorrect classification values or determine if the import complies with U.S. trademark regulations.)
Electronic access to this information is expected to facilitate consistent decision-making by ports nationwide and supports efforts by CBP to employ a nationwide approach to managing compliance with trade laws and regulations.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 03/06/09 news, 09030605, for BP summary of the ESAR A2.2 deployment schedule.
See ITT's Online Archives or 03/11/09 news, 09031110, for BP summary of ESAR A2.2 capabilities, etc.
See ITT's Online Archives or 04/01/09 news, 09040120, for BP summary on the new Census warning override capabilities to be delivered with ESAR A2.2.
See ITT's Online Archives or 03/19/09 news, 09031910, for BP summary on CBP automating certain forms with ESAR A2.2 deployment.)
CBP notice (dated 04/06/09) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/whats_new/ace_nationwide.xml