ACE Portal Accounts Expected to Have Access to ISF Data in Spring 2011
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued the March 2011 ACE Trade Account Owner Update, which provides information on the ACE deployment of Importer Security Filing reports for C-TPAT members, ISF status queries for Portal accounts, etc.
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(The 10+2 interim final rule mandates that importers and vessel carriers submit additional maritime cargo information (10 data elements for importers (the ISF) and 2 data elements for vessel carriers) to CBP before it is brought into the U.S.)
Several ISF Enhancements Targeted for Spring 2011
CBP states it has targeted spring 2011 for the deployment of the ACE ISF enhancements described below (note that BP is contacting CBP to verify the Update’s information on C-TPAT reports, and will be updating readers.)
According to the ACE TAO Update:
ISF Reports for C-TPAT Members
C-TPAT importers, brokers, filers, sureties, vessel operating carriers (VOCs) and non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) will have access to ISF reports.
(In January 2011, CBP officials stated that the agency was looking to deliver ISF data dumps in ACE that would allow importers to have visibility to all ISFs filed on their behalf. It would also give importers and filers the ability to see transactional ISF data.
Officials also stated that the current ISF progress reports provide a monthly summary of the types of ISFs filed with CBP (stand-alone, done via ABI, etc.), errors made, and ISF timeliness for the specified time period. However, certain C-TPAT members (Tier 3 and certain Tier 2 members) have access to transactional ISF data, as CBP provides them with tailored reports. In addition, Tier 3 and certain Tier 2 C-TPAT members can see all ISFs that have been filed on their behalf. See ITT’s Online Archives or 01/20/11 news, 11012026, for BP summary of the official discussing ISF data dumps.)
Importers, Brokers, Others Will be Able to Query ISF Status
In addition, importers, brokers, filers, VOCs and NVOCCs will be able to query the status of their ISFs.
Trade to Have Access to ISF Portal, Small Importers Could File 12 ISFs in Portal
Authorized trade users with importer, broker, carrier or surety ACE Portal accounts will have access to the ISF portal via a link in the ACE Portal. Small importers will be allowed to file up to 12 ISFs annually.
(At the July 2010 COAC meeting, CBP stated that although programming for the ISF portal for small entities has been completed, but the link to ACE was still pending. See ITT’s Online Archives or 08/30/10 news, 10083018, for BP summary.)
Access to ISF Portal via ACE to be Controlled by TAO
Access to the ISF Portal via the ACE Portal link will be controlled by the Trade Account Owner (TAO). The TAO will also have the ability to grant Cross Account Access.
(Note CBP officials previously stated that the ISF data dumps were not likely to deployed until M1 (e-Manifest: Ocean and Rail) was deployed. M1 was scheduled to be deployed in spring 2011, but the M1 pilot was put “on hold” due to contractor issues. See ITT’s Online Archives or 02/14/11 news, 11021424, for BP summary of CBP putting the M1 pilot on hold.)
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/31/11 news, 11033120 and 11033114, for BP summaries of the TAO update on the ACE Document Imaging System and Cargo Release. See ITT's Online Archives or 04/01/11 news, 11040124, for BP summary of the TAO update on Post Summary Correction functionality.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 11/19/10 news, 10111909, for BP summary of CBP announcing that the ISF data dumps were targeted for spring 2011.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 10/28/10 news, 10102809, for BP summary of CBP officials providing a 10+2/ISF update at an October 2010 conference, where they discussed the ISF data dumps.)