U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a February 2012 update on its progress with various ACE capabilities and other projects, such as the Document Image System, PGA Message Set, e-Manifest: rail and Sea (M1), ACE Truck, Automated Export Processing etc. With this update, CBP states that a DIS pilot test will be announced in March and M1 will be operational at all direct ports by the end of March. The update has added information on Simplified Entry and Simplified Summary, but removed the dates for the ACE Cargo Release contract award and the Simplified Entry test (the test is now expected to begin in April 2012).
Broker Power is providing readers with some of the top stories for February 21 - February 24, 2012 in case they were missed last week.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice advising the trade on the system requirements needed to file an entry summary with a Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) claim in the Automated Commercial System (ACS). CBP states it will advise the trade in a future message when the below system changes have been completed in ACS (EI). When these changes takes effect, the trade will also be able to file such claims in the ACE AE.1 CBP states that KORUS will have an effective date of March 15, 2012.
At the February 21, 2012 COAC meeting, members approved an updated set of draft instructions for the new version of the CBP Form 301 (Customs Bond) that took effect on January 1, 2012. According to COAC, there are concerns with the new bond form, and CBP thought the quickest way to address many of the concerns was to update the instructions to include proper procedures of usage.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced that the weekend maintenance performed in the extended ACE maintenance window is complete and ACE is now available. On Friday February 24, 2012, CBP had announced that the regular ACE Maintenance Window (Saturday 2300 EST - Sunday 0500 EST) would be extended to Sunday, February 26, 2012, if needed, from 5am EST - 2pm EST.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice stating that effective January 30, 2012, the Office of International Trade/Trade Policy and Programs is no longer processing Remote Location Filing applications. This process has been transitioned to the client representatives within the ACE Business Office. The client representatives will be responsible for determining the filer’s ability to transmit via the Electronic Invoice Program (EIP), determine RLF eligibility, and convey results, once the filer has demonstrated it meets certain thresholds.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a February 16, 2012 version of its "Technical" Frequently Asked Questions document on the ACE Simplified Entry (SE) Pilot for air cargo. The new version has three new Q&As on updating and resending SEs, and four news Q&As on deleting SEs. The other sections of the FAQs have not been updated for new information.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a proposed rule to amend 19 CFR to transform the in-bond process from a paper dependent entry process to an automated paperless process in ACE. It would also require additional information to be reported on the in-bond application, establish a 30-day transit time for all modes except pipelines, and require electronic permission from CBP for in-bond cargo diversion, among other changes. Comments on the proposed rule are due by April 23, 2012.
At the February 21, 2012 COAC meeting, CBP officials said the agency plans to issue an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to gather ideas on its planned re-write of the Customs broker regulations in 19 CFR Part 111. The ANPR will also ensure that all of the broker community has ample opportunity to provide comments and suggestions.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reposted its 183 page Matrix of "Active" Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) User Requirements of the Trade Support Network, which are those that are pending CBP review. Most of these active user requirements cover ACE Accounts, Entry, and Multi-Modal Manifest (MMM), however there are also Export and Revenue user requirements, among others. CBP has also posted a 321 page Matrix of All (active and completed) ACE User Requirements of the TSN.