CBP is seeking participants in a new working group to inform its development of the Automated Commercial Environment for data filing related to goods regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, said CBP in a CSMS message (here). The working group will focus on the information technology issues associated with implementing ACE, said CBP. The group will "consist of members of the international trade community that import ATF-regulated commodities, software development companies, and representatives from" CBP and ATF, it said.

CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues:

CBP "is focused on getting remaining software vendors certified for entry filing" ahead of the Nov. 1 transition date for cargo release and summary filing in the Automated Commercial Environment, said CBP (here). "Filers who are not prepared to file entries/entry summaries in ACE on November 1 could face delays in cargo processing, impacting release of goods at the border since entries/entry summaries not filed in ACE will be filed as paper transactions," the agency said. So far, 36 of 38 software vendors are certified for entry summary and 21 are certified for entry, CBP said.

CBP will require the use of the Automated Commercial Environment for almost all manifest filing as of May 1. CBP will allow for some "flexibility" in the transition to ACE for air manifest, the agency said in a CSMS message (here). While the "the deadline for ACE Air Manifest continues to be May 1st," industry will be able to continue to "test the system" until June 6th, when Air Automated Manifest System will be phased out, it said. "Accordingly, ABI Air Inbond filers will continue to use QX/WX to allow the air industry additional time to test the system," said CBP

CBP will replace all antidumping and countervailing duty reports in the Automated Commercial Environment secure data portal, the agency said in a CSMS message (here). As of May 11, all existing reports will be replaced with "new reports designed to enhance AD/CVD oversight and provide data for both ACE and ACS entries," it said.

International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for April 20-24 in case they were missed.

CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues:

CBP plans to provide an outline of cargo release processes within the Automated Commercial Environment on May 15, said Steve Hilsen, lead executive of the Single Window Program Office at CBP. Hilsen and ACE Business Office Acting Director Deborah Augustin spoke about Single Window progress at the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America conference on April 22 in Orlando, Florida. Most of the Partner Government Agency functionalities will begin production as of June 27, though there will be some delay in adding non-Lacey Act capabilities for Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Hilsen said. A CBP presentation included a number of "key dates" in preparation of the Nov. 1 requirement for electronic summary and entry filing in ACE (here).

The House Ways and Means Committee approved the four major trade bills up for consideration at its April 23 markup, following a full day of debate on the legislation. The committee ultimately sent to the House floor Trade Promotion Authority, Trade Adjustment Assistance, a preference package and a Customs Reauthorization bill. Committee lawmakers approved the same TPA, TAA and preference package bills the Senate Finance Committee endorsed the day before (see 1504230001). TPA passed in a partisan vote, with two Democrats joining Republicans in support. The other three bills passed by voice vote, a committee spokesman said.

CBP should consider adjusting its implementation schedule for the Automated Commercial Environment if the trade community isn’t ready by the Nov. 1 deadline for mandatory filing, said the CBP Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations (COAC) in a formal recommendation adopted at its April 24 meeting. Under CBP’s current plans, filers that aren’t ready for ACE on Nov. 1 will have to file on paper as the Automated Commercial System (ACS) is shut down. COAC’s One U.S. Government at the Border Subcommittee said it is “concerned that reverting to paper will significantly slow the velocity of trade, especially given the pre-holiday peak season.”