CBP is now allowing testing simplified entry of cargo that's subject to antidumping/countervailing duty proceedings, it said in a notice (here). The Automated Commercial Environment cargo release pilot, previously known as simplified entry, will also now allow for filing for release of split shipments, partial shipments, and cargo that's been moved in-bond, said CBP. This test expansion follows another change made last month to allow for combined entry and importer security filing data (see 1502090010).

The Commerce Department denied export privileges for Flider Electronics for 180 days after the Office of Export Enforcement revealed the company has repeatedly shipped electronic products without required licenses (here). Flider also does business as Trident International Corporation and Trident International. The San Francisco-based company falsified the contents of shipments in Automated Commercial Environment filings, and the U.S. government also suspects Flider of falsifying end-users and making transshipments to Russia via Finland and Estonia. These dealings violate the Export Administration Regulations, Commerce said.

The Food and Drug Administration will begin a pilot on July 1 to test filing in the Automated Commercial Environment, said Domenic Veneziano, FDA director of import operations, during a March 24 webinar (here). The pilot will identify any issues with the use of ACE to file and release FDA-regulated entries in advance of the Nov. 1 deadline for mandatory filing and cargo release, said Veneziano. CBP expects to issue a Federal Register notice in April or May to provide details on the pilot, such as eligible commodities and ports, and request participation from industry, said Veneziano and CBP’s Elizabeth McQueen, who leads CBP’s International Trade Data System branch.

The Agricultural Marketing Service is amending its regulations to reflect electronic filing procedures currently in use for certifications that fruits, vegetables and specialty crops are exempt from marketing order grade, size, quality and maturity requirements, in an interim final rule that takes effect March 30 (here). The agency is also removing outdated language on grade exemption certifications for dates and raisins. AMS says the regulatory changes will support implementation of the International Trade Data System by allowing for filing of exemption certificates through the Automated Commercial Environment. Comments on the interim final rule are due May 26.

Steve Hilsen was named CBP's lead executive for the Single Window initiative, said CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske, who spoke at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce March 24. Hilsen is in CBP's Automated Commercial Environment business office.

International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for March 16-20 in case they were missed.

CBP posted some statistics on Automated Commercial Environment use during February (here). There's 23,821 ACE trade accounts and 61,815 approved ACE portal users, said CBP. While the statistics do show an uptick in ACE use compared to January, CBP notes "only seven ACE cargo entry filers submitted over 10% of their total cargo entries in ACE."

The Senate Finance Committee is working to improve upon Customs Reauthorization legislation from previous years for a new bill that could be taken up this Congress, said Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, to the American Apparel and Footwear Association on March 19. Congress has failed to “modernize our customs system” in a timely fashion, but the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Reauthorization Act provides the framework to do just that, said Hatch. He and then-Finance Chairman Max Baucus floated that legislation in 2013 and tried unsuccessfully to move it forward.

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

CBP should move to update the Business Rules document on Automated Commercial Environment Summary soon, National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America leaders recently told Brenda Smith, CBP assistant commissioner. "Although there is a Business Rules Document on ACE Summary, there is still some effort needed to update this publication," said the trade group's president, Geoffrey Powell, on the NCBFAA site (here). "There is an urgent need for the Business Rules document for Cargo Release as soon as possible, as opposed to April/May timeframe," he said. The document is important for training the industry and CBP, said Powell. "Many of our members rely heavily on the ACE Summary Business Rules Document daily when communicating with CBP, so there is mutual understanding of the issue at hand and how it needs to be addressed."