DHS Proposes to Consolidate Import Records Systems
The Department of Homeland Security plans to consolidate two import-related systems of records, DHS said in a notice on the proposal (here). The two systems, now known as the Automated Commercial Environment/International Trade Data System System of Records and the Automated Commercial System System of Records, would also be renamed as Import Information System (IIS) System of Records, it said. The consolidation is hoped to simplify public understanding of CBP handling of import information after ACE is implemented, said DHS.
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The combined system "will continue to collect and maintain records on all commercial goods imported into the United States, as well as information pertaining to the carrier, broker, importer, and other persons associated with the manifest, import, or commercial entry transactions for the goods," it said. The consolidation also includes merged categories of individuals and records to account for data in both systems, it said. The category of records will also include "notations and results of examinations and document review for cleared merchandise to clarify and better identify DHS and [Partner Government Agency]-generated information related to the processing of the import entry transaction," said DHS. The category of records will also be expanded to make room for additional information that CBP proposed to collect as part of a revised Form 5106 (see 1507240009).
The information in the IIS "may be shared with other DHS Components that have a need to know the information to carry out their national security, law enforcement, immigration, or other homeland security functions," said DHS. It may also share the information "with appropriate federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, foreign, or international government agencies consistent with routines uses" spelled out by DHS, it said. Among the routine uses is sharing of data "to paid subscribers, in accordance with applicable regulations, for the purpose of providing access to manifest information," as allowed in CBP regulations. DHS also plans to publish a privacy impact assessment on the combined systems, it said. Comments are due Sept. 16.
(Federal Register 08/17/15)