The CBP-NCBFAA "Role of the Broker-Broker Regulatory Revision Workgroup" has updated its proposed options for revising the role of licensed customs brokers and the Part 111 regulations. The Workgroup continues to propose a continuing education requirement to maintain an “active” broker's license¹ and that Customs business be conducted within the U.S. Customs Territory. It is also proposing that broker status reports be submitted every six months via the ACE Portal, that a web-based exam application process be implemented, and that a review of the broker penalty regime occur. It is no longer proposing an apprenticeship prerequisite to licensing.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has made available previously recorded webinars on the role of the broker (09/16/11), CBP account management restructuring (09/14/11), ACE Post Summary Corrections (09/01/11), and simplified entry and financial processes (07/12/11). This is part of CBP's series of live webinars that are recorded and made available for subsequent on-demand viewing over the Internet. Presentation slides are also available for download.

According to CBP sources, the ACE Portal functionality enhancements that were part of M1 (e-Manifest: ocean and rail) included benefits for all ACE Portal users and were deployed on August 29 and September 6, 2011 as scheduled.

Concerns are being voiced about whether CBP Commissioner Bersin will be confirmed before his “recess appointment” term expires at the end of 2011¹. Although Bersin has support in the trade community, the lack of movement by the Senate Finance Committee indicates it still has reservations about the nomination or is having trouble finding a path forward. It is not known if there will be a breakthrough to allow Bersin to stay.

Officials at U.S. Customs and Border Protection state that the agency plans to add an enhancement by year’s end so that the original ACE entry summary filer will have visibility to the Post Summary Correction filing done by another party. In addition, officials state that a ‘quick fix’ to provide the original filer visibility via ACS can be used until then.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued CSMS #11-000226 on the new AM 100 Courtesy Notice of Liquidation Report for importers. This Information Notice provides instructions on locating and running the AM 100 report, as well as information on customization.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued CSMS #11-000223 to announce two two technical seminars for trade software developers. The purpose of these seminars will be to discuss upcoming programming changes for new functionality scheduled to be delivered as part of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). Parties should notify CBP of their interest in the seminars by September 30, 2011.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued CSMS #11-000225, which it states clarifies its recently published Federal Register Notice announcing the discontinuation of mailed paper courtesy notices of liquidation for entry summaries filed via the Automated Broker Interface (ABI). CBP states it issued this clarification in response to questions received from the trade community.

The Trade Support Network’s Integrated Communications Subcommittee¹ issued an overview and held a recent press conference on the TSN plenary held on September 22-23, 2011. During the plenary, CBP discussed a two-part “simplified entry” proposal which includes simplified release (subset of ISF + some additional data) and simplified (periodic) summary.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued CSMS #11-000222 to extend to October 14, 2011 (from Sept 23) the deadline for brokers to enter ACE Entry Banks for Rail Line Release. In addition, CBP is experiencing a problem in the ACE Portal that prevents users from viewing and creating ACE Entry Banks for Rail Line Release. If a broker has already created the ACE Entry Banks and cannot view them, do not attempt to enter this data again. CBP will send out a notice when this problem has been resolved.