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CBP Updates Its Fact Sheet on ESAR At-a-Glance

May 26, 2011 by Elizabeth Parker|Customs and Ports

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued an updated version of its fact sheet on ACE Entry Summary, Accounts, and Revenue (ESAR) at-a-glance, which provides information on new and future ACE ESAR portal features. Such features reduce paper and streamline processes for CBP and the trade community etc.

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New ESAR Features Will Affect Nearly All CBP Cargo Processes

CBP states that each development phase and implementation of ACE ESAR capabilities improves trade processing automation, enhances border security and fosters the U.S.' economic security through the facilitation of lawful international trade. New ESAR features will enable CBP and its trade partners to more efficiently interact electronically. These enhanced account capabilities will bring dramatic, comprehensive change to the way CBP conducts business, affecting nearly all CBP cargo processes.

(CBP has taken the first steps toward implementing the updated automated entry summary process with the deployment of initial entry summary filing capabilities to all ports in June 2009 for type 01 and 11 entries. In February 2010, CBP deployed the ACE ESAR III capabilities for antidumping and countervailing (AD/CV, type 03) entries.)

Current ACE ESAR Features Include AD/CV Functionality, PMS, Etc.

Current ACE ESAR features include the following:

  • ACE participants can file entry types 01, 03, and 11 entry summaries via ACE. These three entry types account for nearly 99% of all entry summaries. The use of ACE for entry summary filing will not be mandatory until remaining entry types have been implemented and can be filed in ACE.
  • An AD/CVD case management system increases communication among CBP, the Department of Commerce and the trade community and provides greater oversight of AD/CVD cases. It enhances the ability to track the life cycle of an AD?CVD case and facilitates trade compliance efforts by centralizing more information
  • All entries are now targeted via the Automated Targeting System (ATS), regardless of which system they are submitted through, ACE or the Automated Commercial System (ACS).
  • The Census warning process enables a filer to preemptively submit an override code for known Census variances or correct and certify information after filing an entry summary electronically, rather than re-file or dispute a Census warning via a paper exchange.
  • The ACE Periodic Monthly Statement gives participants the ability to wait until the 15th working day of the next month to pay for shipments released during the previous calendar month.
  • A new “team review” capability makes entry summary processing more efficient and will provide a case-management approach that electronically traces the review history of the entry summary.
  • The ability to electronically respond to CBP Forms 28, 29 and 4647, “Request for Information,” “Notice of Action” and “Notice to Mark or Redeliver,” respectively, via ACE (Importer Account Portal) automates a previously paper-based process.
  • Unprecedented access to the importer’s CBP data via more than 125 customizable ACE reports can be used to identify compliance issues and monitor daily operations.

Future ACE ESAR Features to Include PSCs, Improved Reconciliation Flags, Etc.

Future ACE capabilities will redefine and increasingly automate the way CBP conducts business, providing account holders and CBP personnel flexibility to process cargo quickly and securely through ACE. Future ACE ESAR features include the following:

  • Post Summary Correction (PSC) will replace the existing Post Entry Amendment (PEA) hardcopy process for ACE entry summaries by allowing a filer to make corrections prior to liquidation on ACE entry summaries that have been accepted by CBP. This effort supports the trade community’s request for a more efficient and paperless process.
  • ACE capabilities will include processing for remaining entry summary types.
  • Expanded ACE capabilities will include business process re-engineering for quota, drawback and reconciliation.
  • An enhanced reconciliation notification process will include “flag” notations at the line-item level of the entry summary. Reconciliation procedures will also expand to include other entry summary types.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 05/16/11 news, 11051613, for BP summary of CBP's most recently updated ACE fact sheets.

See ITT's Online Archives or 05/20/11 news, 11051979, for BP summary of CBP guidance on the June 4, 2011 deployment date for PSC functionality.

See ITT's Online Archives or 02/16/10 news, 10021605, for BP summary of CBP’s deployment of ACE ESAR III capabilities for AD/CV entries, etc.)