CBP continues to talk with the relevant stakeholders about the timeline for the Automated Commercial Environment, a CBP spokeswoman said in response to a question about possible high-level consideration for revising the mandatory use dates (see 1508140025). "Deputy Secretaries meet periodically to discuss a number of topics that the Department of Homeland Security has purview over, including ACE," she said. "Should the meeting result in any new information regarding ACE, CBP will issue information as soon as we receive it through press releases and a press roundtable." CBP has been working closely with partner government agencies (PGAs), the White House, and industry to meet the major milestones included in the 2014 executive order on the International Trade Data System (see 14021928), said the spokeswoman.
The Department of Homeland Security plans to consolidate two import-related systems of records, DHS said in a notice on the proposal (here). The two systems, now known as the Automated Commercial Environment/International Trade Data System System of Records and the Automated Commercial System System of Records, would also be renamed as Import Information System (IIS) System of Records, it said. The consolidation is hoped to simplify public understanding of CBP handling of import information after ACE is implemented, said DHS.
Deputy secretaries from several federal agencies will soon consider revising the required use dates for some Automated Commercial Environment capabilities, said Geoff Powell, president of the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America in an Aug. 14 email. "In speaking with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last week, we were advised that Deputy Secretaries from several Departments will soon be discussing the ACE path forward, and understand that the White House will be making a decision in the coming weeks on whether to modify CBP's current transition plan," he said. CBP said on July 30 it had not formally recommended a delay to the ACE timelines (see 1507300004).
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues:
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for Aug. 3-7 in case they were missed.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues:
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau is seeking participants for a pilot set to begin Aug. 19 to test electronic filing in the Automated Commercial Environment (here). Under the pilot, importers of distilled spirits, wine, beer, tobacco products, processed tobacco, and cigarette papers and tubes will file information with CBP through TTB’s partner government agency (PGA) message set to meet TTB import requirements. Filers who wish to participate should contact TTB’s John Kyranos at (202) 453–2265 x001, or e-mail regulations@ttb.gov. TTB is also asking for comments on draft filing instructions on how to use its PGA message set in ACE (here). Comments are due Oct. 6.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues:
CBP will soon begin its pilot testing electronic filing of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration partner government agency (PGA) message set data in the Automated Commercial Environment, and is seeking participants from customs brokers and self-filing importers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, it said (here). Participants in the pilot will file data elements found in current paper form HS-7, with supporting documents such as the DOT conformance bond form (DOT HS-474) submitted electronically via a CBP-approved Electronic Data Interchange at any time prior to the arrival of the merchandise, said CBP. Brokers and self-filing importers that want to participate should email Clint Lindsay at Clint.Lindsay@dot.gov or Coleman Sachs at Coleman.Sachs@dot.gov, and should send a copy of that request also to their client representative at CBP’s ACE Business Office, said CBP.
CBP published a quick reference guide (here) on how to apply for an Automated Commercial Environment exporter account. The guide outlines how current ACE users and non-ACE users can apply for the account. The agency recently updated ACE to allow for an "exporter" account type (see 1506290018).