U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice announcing its plan to conduct a National Customs Automation Program (NCAP)1 test on ACE simplified entry capability. The test will reduce the information participants must file with CBP prior to arrival in the U.S. to 12 required, and three optional data elements. The initial phase of the test will only be for the air transportation mode and is available for nine accounts. Parties interested in participating in the test should contact CBP by November 17, 2011.
At the October 4, 2011 COAC meeting, COAC and CBP officials discussed the work of the Global Supply Chain-Land Border Security Initiatives Subcommittee on issues such as expanding Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism to exports and cross-dock operations and providing a tiered C-TPAT structure for truck carriers. The subcommittee also discussed an electronic FAST concept with no stopping at the bridge or booth.
The World Customs Organization reports that Colombia launched its Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program at a high-level event on September 28-29, 2011. The WCO states that in addition to Colombian Customs, other border agencies (such as Agriculture, Health, and Drug Control) are part of this program which provides the status of "trusted partner" to business that achieve certification. The AEO program, which is similar to C-TPAT, is a core part of the WCO's Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate global trade (SAFE).
In conjunction with the October 4, 2011 COAC meeting, CBP posted an issue paper which provides an update on land border pre-inspection in Mexico and Canada. According to the issue paper, CBP has identified three possible pilot locations at which to evaluate cargo pre-screening and pre-inspection -- Otay Mesa, CA, Santa Teresa, NM (FOXCONN), and Port Huron, MI.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced the permanent establishment of the Center of Excellence and Expertise (CEE) for Pharmaceuticals, which previously functioned as a pilot program. CBP has also established a permanent CEE for Electronics, which previously functioned as an Account Executive (AE) pilot. With this action, CBP sources state the agency is combining the AE and CEE pilot concepts in the new Centers, expanding the scope of the two Centers to cover additional industries, and is beginning operational processing for trusted partners.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has provided information on what it views as the benefits and process improvements that can be expected with the future implementation of Cargo Release in ACE. CBP states that the release process for legitimate cargo will be facilitated through process improvements, including, among other things, the creation of a single window for import data transmission, reduced redundant data requirements, paperless updates, and templates of repeated entries for trusted traders.
During the introductory remarks at the October 4, 2011 COAC meeting, a statement from a DHS official was read which addressed the status of DHS’ final Global Supply Chain Security Strategy1. According to DHS, the plan is expected to be issued in November 2011; it is currently undergoing review by the Administration and that input from the private sector on its implementation will be solicited after the strategy is sent to the President.
On October 14, 2011, U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued its September-October 2011 ACE Trade Account Owner (TAO) Update. The TAO provides an update on participation in CBP's Simplified Entry pilot, access to DIS and PGA Message Set, ISF Progress Reports, and tips for running the ACE courtesy notice of liquidation report, and a recap of various recent ACE updates.
At the October 4, 2011 COAC meeting, COAC adopted a set of revised recommendations from its Broker Subcommittee on the Role of the Broker project. The final recommendations are largely the same as the draft recommendations that were posted prior to the October 4, 2011 COAC meeting, except they now recommend expanding CBP’s Broker Regulatory Revision Work Group to include other interested parties representing other perspectives and reflect certain revisions to the wording of the recommendations.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials and COAC members discussed COAC's recommendations and CBP's next steps for the agency's Role of the Broker Project at the COAC meeting that was held on October 4 in El Paso, Texas. CBP also discussed its proposals for Simplified Entry, Summary and Financial Processing, including its plans for a Simplified Entry pilot before the end of 2011.