Upcoming PSC Functionality to Replace PEAs in ACE, be "Full Replace" of Entry

This is Part III of a multipart series of summaries on the interview and covers PSC functionality. See future issues of ITT for additional topics.

PSC Functionality Expected in Late Spring

CBP is still on schedule to deliver PSC functionality in ACE in spring 2011; however, it is now expected to be delivered in the late spring timeframe. CBP sources stated at Tradewatch 2011 on February 17, 2011 that PSC functionality is targeted for delivery in the late April 2011 time frame.

CBP deployed PSC with functionality for internal CBP use only (such as mass updates and the comparison tool), without the enhancements requested by the trade, on October 31, 2010.

However, CBP did not meet their October 2010 target date to deploy PSC functionality for the trade due to trade concerns that were discovered during a technical review. During the review, CBP identified production issues within ACE that were problematic for PSC and the trade identified a critical business processing capability that needed to be addressed for PSC functionality to be utilized. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 10/04/10 news, 10100418, for BP summary.)

PSC Transaction to be “Full Replace” of ACE Entry Summary

A PSC transaction will be a “full replace” (a new version) of the existing ACE entry summary. It will replace the existing Post Entry Amendment (PEA) hardcopy process for ACE entry summaries. PEAs will not be permitted for ACE entry summary changes once PSC functionality has been deployed.

Multiple PSCs Filings and “Mass Updates” Functions

There will generally be no limit on the number of PSCs that can be filed within 270 days from date of entry. In addition, PSC functionality will provide the ability for mass updates to ACE entry summaries.

PSCs Limited to Two Entry Types

PSCs can only be submitted for types 01 (formal) and 03 (antidumping/countervailing duty) ACE entry summaries. PSCs will be processed through all existing validations including Census warnings. Liquidation will be automatically unset for PSCs so they can be processed.

Efficiency Gains Expected with PSCs

CBP has previously provided the following list of efficiency gains that are expected to come with PSC functionality:

• Automated submission of correction at the line level
• Receipt of ABI confirmation message upon PSC system acceptance
• Improved tracking via ABI entry summary query for liquidation status
• Availability of latest accepted version of the entry summary through ACE Secure Data Portal
• Eliminates quarterly PEA requirement for ACE entry summaries -- filer may submit changes as discovered
• Eliminates need to mail a cover letter, CBP Form 7501, corrected invoice
• Promotes process uniformity

PSCs Will be Able to Change Entry Summary Header and Line Information

CBP has previously stated that changeable fields of information allowed on a PSC will be entry summary header information and entry summary line information.

Importer of Record, Port of Entry, Etc. Will Not be Changeable via a PSC

A number of data elements will not be The following data elements will not be changeable via a PSC:

• Importer of record
• Consolidated summary indicator
• District/port of entry
• Cargo release certification request indicator (including Department of Transportation (DOT) grouping. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grouping and Participating Government Agency (PGA) grouping.)
• Live entry indicator
• NAFTA indicator
• Reconciliation issue code
• Preliminary statement print date
• Periodic statement month
• Statement client branch identifier
• Location of goods
• Any release detail (release entry filer code, release entry number)

CBP Expects Number of ACE Entry Summaries, Account Holders to Increase with PSC Release

As PSC functionality was highly desired by the trade, CBP expects to see an increase in the number of ACE account holders and entry summaries filed via ACE once PSC functionality has been deployed.

(See ITT’s Online Archives or 02/22/11 news, 11022208, for BP summary of CBP posting ACE ABI CATAIR chapters that were revised to implement PSC.)