U.S. Customs and Border Inspection recently posted a revised version of its Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) 101 "Topic" document, which provides a useful general overview of ACE, including the ACE Secure Data Portal, account management capabilities, report capabilities, revenue capabilities, cargo control and release, and entry summary processing. The document also discusses future ACE features.
A Food and Drug Administration official who spoke at the September 2011 annual NCBFAA1 Government Affairs Conference gave an update on the Border Interagency Executive Council's efforts to (i) align participating government agency (PGA) “trusted trader” programs; and (ii) share information and images via the Document Image System (DIS).
At the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America’s Government Affairs Conference on September 19, 2011, representatives from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and NCBFAA’s Customs Committee discussed the “Role of the Broker,” including the possibility of requiring continuing education for all licensed customs brokers and an experience requirement for permit holders. A larger role for brokers in trusted trade programs is also being contemplated, etc.
On September 7, 2011, the Senate Appropriations Committee amended, approved, and reported the fiscal year 2012 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill (H.R. 2017), which would provide $410 million more for CBP than was enacted in FY 2011, including funds for cargo scanning pilots. In its report, the Committee urges CBP to encourage or require brokers to develop “know your customer” programs, consider a U.S. agent requirement for foreign importers, etc.
Broker Power is providing readers with some of the top stories for August 29 -- September 2, 2011 in case they were missed last week.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued its August 2011 ACE Trade Account Owner Update, which provides new information on upcoming ACE Courtesy Notice of Liquidation reports, a recent Decal/Transponder Online Procurement System (DTOPS) release, and how to handle an issue when running entry summary line detail reports, among other topics.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has updated its list of Free and Secure Trade (FAST) enrollment centers. CBP has also posted an updated list of the U.S./Mexico FAST enrollment centers. The FAST program is CBP’s commercial clearance program for known low-risk shipments entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. It allows for expedited processing for commercial carriers who have completed background checks and fulfill certain eligibility requirements. Participation in FAST requires that every link in the supply chain, from manufacturer to carrier to driver to importer is certified under the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued CSMS Message #11-000205, providing the August 2011 ACE Trade Account Owner Update. In this update, CBP states that for quota entries, the Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS) month should be determined using the date of presentation instead of the release date. CBP also provides information on how importers with or without ACE Portal Accounts can email requests for activation of new Importer of Record Numbers for PMS. The update also states that a new column called "C-TPAT FAST ID" was added to the Decal/Transponder Online Procurement System (DTOPS) Conveyance Lookup screen as part of a recent DTOPS release. See future issue of ITT for detailed summary of the TAO update.
In June 2011, the European Commission issued a Green Paper seeking comments by October 31, 2011 on how the European Union's system of export controls should be administered for dual-use goods (items that have both military and civilian uses), which account for up to 10% of EU exports.
Canada has released a report summarizing its consultations with Canadians on the new “perimeter approach” to security and economic competitiveness announced by President Obama and Prime Minister Harper in February 2011. In the report, Canadians seek simplification and alignment of border practices; harmonization of C-TPAT and PIP; expanded pre-border inspection and clearance; elimination of duplicative border inspections; etc.