U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an updated version of its spreadsheet of ACE ESAR A2.2 (Initial Entry Types) programming issues.

The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General has issued a follow-up letter on the recent "Independent Auditors' Report" issued by KPMG LLP on U.S. Customs and Border Protection's fiscal year 2010 internal controls for the financial reporting of its Information Technology activity. The letter details the "significant deficiency" that was found for CBP's IT and financial system controls in the following areas: access control, security management, segregation of duties, and financial system functionality, and lists recommendations for improvement.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has revised its frequently asked questions (FAQ) document entitled "Voided Importer Record FAQs" that was issued in 2006, in order to update its instructions, among other things, on reactivating an importer record that was voided by CBP, or requesting that an incorrect importer number be voided.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a General Notice announcing that the National Customs Automation Program test (pilot) concerning the transmission of required advance ocean and rail data through ACE (e-Manifest: Ocean and Rail or M1) is now scheduled to begin no earlier than August 1, 2011. CBP states that applications are still being accepted for the M1 Pilot.

The International Trade Data System website has a June 15, 2011 version of its ACE Portal Access Application. The required documentation for Participating Government Agencies to apply to the ACE Portal includes a PGA User Application Form, Form 7300, DHS non-disclosure agreement and rules of behavior PGA form, among others. Instructions on submitting the applications by email or postal mail are included.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced that new capabilities were deployed via the Automated Commercial Environment with respect to Importer Security Filing (ISF). These new capabilities include (i) importer access through ACE to the ISF progress reports that have to date only been available via email subscription and (ii) making ISF progress reports, previously available only to importers, now also available via ACE to ISF filers and sureties. In addition, importers who file 12 or fewer ISF transactions per year will now be able to file and track their ISF transactions directly via the ACE portal, without the need to file via the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

On July 8, 2011, U.S. Customs and Border Protection posted its latest edition of Frontline (Vol. 4, Issue 2), CBP's quarterly magazine on border security. Among other things, the magazine highlights CBP's recent actions towards expanding C-TPAT mutual recognition; arranging trusted traveler programs; moving to an account-based approach to security; and on leveraging the role of the broker.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued an “Action Item” Final Report from the June Trade Leadership Council (TLC) Conference¹ and Trade Support Network (TSN) Webinar. A second document that tallies TSN votes on ACE and programming priorities has also been posted. Among other things, the document indicates that TSN’s leadership favors moving electronic bond processing higher on the ACE priorities list, and providing full functionality in ACE for all entry summary types as well as enhanced entry summary edits prior to turning off ACS.

Broker Power is providing readers with some of the top stories for June 27 -- July 1, 2011 in case they were missed last week.

CBP has issued a CSMS message letting ABI software developers know that the ACS ABI and ACE ABI CATAIR documents will have the “description” field changed to reflect the Periodic Monthly Statement month designation, as follows: