U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a three-page list of the URLs for resources to assist the trade in using the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal. The URLs for 18 ACE User Guides on topics ranging from an introduction to ACE to specific topics on AD/CVD cases and messages, e-Manifest: Rail and Sea (M1), running reports, etc. are provided. Several ACE User Guides are also available in Spanish. Other ACE resources include ACE web-based training and presentations on ACE capabilities. See document for full list of resources, more detailed descriptions, and links.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced that compatibility issues between the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) version 8 security patch KB2585542 have been resolved. Users should no longer experience ACE Portal issues with this patch installed. CBP found this issue in January 2012, which affected response times in the ACE Portal. CBP had provided an interim solution for the trade, which involved the removal of the security patch. CBP states users should reports ACE Portal issues to the CBP Technology Service Desk at 1-866-530-4172 or cbp.technology.service.desk@cbp.dhs.gov.
On March 14, 2012, the Food and Drug Administration launched its online Import Trade Auxiliary Communications System (ITACS) which allows the trade to: (i) check the FDA status of specific entries/lines; (2) submit entry documentation and link them to specific entries/lines; and (3) submit availability information for targeted shipments. FDA has posted a presentation on ITACS, which covers its system requirements, benefits, future functionality, and a "walkthrough" of current functionality. FDA sources stated that anyone with the shipment's entry number could submit entry documents using ITACS, and noted that there were no plans to integrate ITACS with ACE.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced that it has resolved communication problems at the CBP Data Center that affected ABI and EDI data for all FAST truck manifests and other ACE truck manifests (announced in CSMS #12-000097). Additionally, the CBP Network experienced intermittent connectivity issues affecting Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections to the CBP Mainframe environment (announced in CSMS #12-000098). CBP states this issue has been resolved and trade partners have reestablished connectivity. (CSMS #12-000099, dated 03/20/12)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection states that the Automated Commercial System (ACS) and Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) are now updated to accept entry summaries claiming U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement duty benefits. While the KFTA has been in effect since March 15, entry summary claims could not be filed in ACS or ACE until these systems were updated for the KFTA. CBP has previously stated that KFTA claims are made using the Special Program Indicator (SPI) "KR."
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has listed the trade benefits for participants in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) by industry segment. Specific benefits are listed for Customs brokers, importers, self-filers, sureties, carriers, trade account owners (TAOs), as well as all users with portal accounts, for (1) ACE Secure Data Portal, (2) Periodic Monthly Statement, (3) ACE Reports, (4) Entry Summary Filing, (5) Post Summary Corrections, (6) e-Manifest: Truck and (7) e-Manifest: Rail and Sea.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice stating that if Ocean Manifest Users are not yet filing their ocean manifest data via ACE e-Manifest: Rail and Sea, nor testing to become certified, it's now time to take action.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced that a data communications problem at the CBP Data Center is currently affecting some trade partners (ABI and EDI data for all FAST truck manifests and other ACE truck manifests). CBP will provide an update as additional information becomes available. (CSMS #12-000097, dated 03/20/12)
Broker Power is providing readers with some of the top stories for March 12 - March 16, 2012 in case they were missed last week.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued its ranking of priority ACE projects, including those that are in the works and planned. According to CBP, the development of DIS, PGA Message Set, PGA Interoperability, and some Export work is fully funded and Cargo Release/Simplified Entry is partially funded. After that, unless future funding is available for the continuous development of new capacities, ACE development work will cease.