TSN Discusses ACE Reports, Post Summary Corrections, FDA's DUNS Pilot Program, Etc.

(TSN is a group of trade representatives who provide input into the design and development of modernization projects, such as ACE. CBP has been meeting with the TSN since May 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.)

The following are highlights of the reports that have been posted to date (January - May 2009):

Discussions on Replacing Paper PEAs with ACE Post Summary Corrections

The Account Committee met in May 2009 to continue discussing post summary corrections (PSCs). Initially PSCs would only be available to ABI filers; ACE portal functionality would be delivered later. The Committee is defining PSCs as a method to replace the current paper Post Entry Amendment (PEA) program.

The future ACE Portal functionality that the Committee is requesting would allow both brokers and importers to make post summary (pre-liquidation) amendments and corrections to entry summary data that was initially filed and accepted by CBP.

In addition, the trade would like a new report which would show all versions of the entry summary, making it possible to trace the history of the summary from the time of initial transmission (version 1.0), through any PSCs and to final liquidation.

The Great Idea Forms (GIFs) on addressing reporting needs and other portal functionality for PSCs were under review by the committee before being sent to CBP.

FDA Developing Pilot Using DUNS Number as Business Entity Identifier

The Food and Drug Administration is developing the FDA Drug Import DUNS Pilot, that will use the DUNS number as a business entity identifier that will be linked to the FDA internal tracking system (i.e. the FDA Establishment Identifier (FEI)).

(See ITT's Online Archives 07/16/09, 09071605, for BP summary of FDA officials discussing the possible future use of the DUNS number, etc.)

ITDS Continues to Work on Issues Concerning PGA Integration into ACE

The ITDS and ITDS Subcommittee continue to document questions and issues concerning PGA integration and functionality in the ACE/ITDS environment. The Committee is maintaining an "ITDS Issues List" working document which lists these concerns.

Trade Wants to Freeze/Unfreeze Importer of Record Numbers via ACE

The trade would like to be able to use the ACE portal to freeze/unfreeze importer numbers at the 11 digit level and to identify the users in a company that are authorized to request changes to the importer number.

Currently, the trade has the ability to make a written request to "freeze" importer of record numbers. This request is submitted to CBP in the form of a letter which identifies the sole parties in the company who are authorized to request changes to the importer of record number.

Some Standard ACE Reports Could be Eliminated

It was requested that Account Committee members look at all of the ACE reports available to trade members with an eye toward reducing the number of standard reports. Although the Committee has no intention of recommending that standard reports be eliminated, it will be looking at the frequency with which reports are run in order to determine whether recommendations can be made for the elimination of specific reports that are infrequently or rarely used.

User Requirement for Creating Export (AES) Reports via ACE

The Export Reports working group developed and submitted a user requirement for creating Export (AES) Reports via the ACE Portal to the CBP and Census Co Chairs for review and comment. CBP and Census are discussing the feasibility of developing this capability.

(This requirement was developed as a follow up to a request from CBP for the Export Committee to come with some ideas on what type of export functionality CBP can automate or integrate in ACE in an expedited timeframe.)

(See ITT's Online Archives or 08/21/09 news, 09082120 2, for BP summary of TSN submitting a GIF on creating AES reports via the ACE portal, etc.)

Trade Wants to Generate Broker Evaluation and Analysis Reports in ACE

The Broker Account Subcommittee created a Broker Evaluation and Analysis Report (BEAR) GIF. The trade would like to be able to generate the equivalent of the BEAR report in ACE. The BEAR report is currently provided to managed accounts by the National Account Managers to improve compliance through the reduction of repetitive errors.

Additionally, the trade is requesting the ability to electronically transmit the International Trade in Arms Regulations (ITAR) exemptions via ACE cargo release and entry summary. The trade would like the ability to transmit only the code, for example, 22 CFR 123.4(a)(1). This information should also be made available to export filers when they reference the import entry number.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 08/17/09 news, 09081750 1, for BP summary of TSN submitting GIFs on BEAR and ITAR exemptions.)

Technical Advisory Group Received White Paper on EDI Imaging in ACE

The Technical Advisory Group was provided a whitepaper for their review and comment pertaining to the addition of EDI imaging capability in ACE. This capability would allow trade participants to electronically submit document image files to CBP via EDI messages. Additionally, the white paper outlines a companion capability for manually uploading document images files through the ACE Portal.

Reports (posted April - June 2009) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/trade_support_network/tsn_monthly/