CBP Issues Two FAQs on the ACE Simplified Entry Pilot
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued two Frequently Asked Questions documents on the ACE Simplified Entry Pilot that it plans to start testing in the air environment with pilot participants by late January 2012. One set of FAQs is on the policy aspects of the pilot; the other FAQ set is on its technical aspects. Among other things, CBP states that the Simplified Entry data set is 90% complete and it is currently reviewing which airports will be used for the pilot. In addition, a working group will convene in February 2012 to discuss the vision of Simplified Summary and define its requirements.
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Highlights of these two FAQs include the following:
FAQs on Policy Issues
Modifying SEs.Under the Pilot, CBP will allow filers to modify simplified entry data electronically to allow the trade to update for the best available information.
RLF not in initial pilot. Remote Location Filing will not be included in the initial Pilot; however, CBP is working to include RLF in future Pilot deployments.
OGA entries not in initial pilot. For the initial Pilot, CBP will only allow Entry Types 01 and 11 that do not have other government agency (OGA) requirements. In future Pilot deployments, CBP anticipates incorporating the Participating Government Agency (PGA) message set. This was developed by CBP in October 2011, and is a single, harmonized set of data elements that will be collected electronically from international traders by CBP on behalf of the PGAs, thereby allowing CBP and the PGAs to make informed decisions about what cargo can come into the U.S. without the myriad of paper forms currently required.
Business processes, not EIN to determine if SE. The Pilot participants will be able to identify and limit the scope of their SE entries based on their business processes, and will not have to file as SEs all entries shipped under an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Pilot participants can determine what shipments should be filed as SEs (that meet the specific Pilot requirements as outlined in the Federal Register notice) or as a standard CBP Form 3461 entries.
Simplified summary in future deployments. CBP will implement Simplified Summary in future deployments of the Pilot. In early January 2012, CBP will engage the Simplified Processes Working Group that met in the summer of 2011 to help determine the way forward with Simplified Summary. CBP envisions a new Simplified Summary Working Group will convene in the February 2012 timeframe to discuss the vision of Simplified Summary and define requirements.
Choice of airports. CBP is currently reviewing which ports will be utilized under the Pilot. Consideration will be given to the trade lanes requested by each participant, along with where the most appropriate volume of Simplified Entries will be filed. CBP will also have to take into consideration training needs to ensure the appropriate staffing requirements are met.
Software providers for training use. At this point in the Simplified Entry Pilot process, CBP is not actively seeking ABI software providers as official participants; however, these requests can be forwarded to CBP’s training office to determine if the software providers can be utilized for training purposes.
FAQs on Technical Issues
SE testing schedule. CBP plans to start testing data by the end of December 2011 and be ready to test data with the Pilot participants by late January 2012.
Correcting SEs. Under the Pilot, CBP will allow filers to modify entry data electronically, to allow the Trade to update for the best available information.
DIS not supported in initial pilot. The use of the Document Imaging System (DIS) for "Documents Required" is not supported for the initial pilot, although this support is planned for future releases.
Plans for PGAs. Upon the success of the Simplified Entry Pilot, CBP will aggressively move forward to incorporate the PGA message set within the Simplified Entry Pilot.
Split entries. CBP is designing the system so that if the bill splits, it will not process the Simplified Entry, since the entry will not have either the “A” or the “B” record. This still requires further analysis from CBP, but ultimately if a split occurs, the Simplified Entry will need to be deleted and a CBP Form 3461 will need to be submitted for shipment.
Data set 90% done. CBP’s technical teams are about 90% complete with the Simplified Entry data set. CBP will distribute the information to Pilot participants once the remaining technical details are finalized in order to prevent participants from having to re-code their systems based on changes.
(See ITT's Online Archives 11120915 and 11121201 for summaries listing those selected for the SE pilot. See ITT's Online Archives 11111801 and 11122009 for summaries of the pilot and a presentation of the SE process, respectively.)
CBP FAQ on Simplified Entry Pilot (Policy), dated 12/27/11, available here.
CBP FAQ on Simplified Entry Pilot (Technical), dated 12/27/11, available here.