Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2007/10/18/E7-20553.html
Timestamp: 2020-04-10 10:40:18
Document Index: 550463293

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 24', 'art 24', 'art 111', 'art 24', 'art 24', 'art 111']

Announcement of National Customs Automation Program Test Concerning Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue Capabilities, 59105-59108 [E7-20553] :: U.s. Customs And Border Protection :: Department Of Homeland Security :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Homeland Security U.s. Customs And Border Protection Announcement of National Customs Automation Program Test Concerning Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue Capabilities, 59105-59108 [E7-20553]
Announcement of National Customs Automation Program Test Concerning Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue Capabilities, 59105-59108 [E7-20553]
Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 201 / Thursday, October 18, 2007 / Notices Written comments should be received on or before December 17, 2007 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Information Services Group, Attn.: Tracey Denning, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 3.2.C Washington, DC 20229. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information should be directed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Attn.: Tracey Denning, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Room 3.2C, Washington, DC 20229, Tel. (202) 344–1429. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CBP invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)). The comments should address: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimates of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden including the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operations, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information. The comments that are submitted will be summarized and included in the CBP request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. In this document CBP is soliciting comments concerning the following information collection: Title: CBP Regulations for Customhouse Brokers. OMB Number: 1651–0034. Form Number: N/A. Abstract: This information is collected to ensure regulatory compliance for Customhouse brokers. Current Actions: There are no changes to the information collection. This submission is being submitted to extend the expiration date. Type of Review: Extension (without change). Affected Public: Businesses, Individuals, Institutions. Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,933. Estimated Time per Respondent: 43 minutes. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES DATES: VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:55 Oct 17, 2007 Jkt 214001 Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,017. Estimated Total Annualized Cost on the Public: $961,833. Dated: October 11, 2007. Tracey Denning, Agency Clearance Officer, Information Services Group. [FR Doc. E7–20508 Filed 10–17–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111–14–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY U.S. Customs and Border Protection Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Cost Submission Notice and request for comments. ACTION: SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on an information collection requirement concerning Cost Submission. This request for comment is being made pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)). DATES: Written comments should be received on or before December 17, 2007 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Information Services Group, Room 3.2.C, Attn.: Tracey Denning, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20229. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information should be directed U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Attn.: Tracey Denning, Room 3.2.C, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20229, Tel. (202) 344–1429. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CBP invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act (Pub. L. 104–13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)). The comments should address: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimates of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden including PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 59105 the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operations, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information. The comments that are submitted will be summarized and included in the CBP request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. In this document CBP is soliciting comments concerning the following information collection: Title: Cost Submission. OMB Number: 1651–0028. Form Number: CBP Form–247. Abstract: CBP Form–247 is used by importers to furnish cost information to CBP which serves as the basis to establish the appraised value of imported merchandise. Abstract: CBP Form–247 is used by importers to furnish cost information to CBP which serves as the basis to establish the appraised value of imported merchandise. Current Actions: There are no changes to the information collection. This submission is being submitted to extend the expiration date. Type of Review: Extension (without change). Affected Public: Businesses, Institutions. Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000. Estimated Time Per Respondent: 50 hours. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 50,000. Estimated Total Annualized Cost on the Public: N/A. Dated: October 11, 2007. Tracey Denning, Agency Clearance Officer, Information Services Group. [FR Doc. E7–20509 Filed 10–17–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111–14–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY U.S. Customs and Border Protection Announcement of National Customs Automation Program Test Concerning Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue Capabilities U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security. ACTION: General notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This document announces Custom and Border Protection’s (CBP’s) E:\FR\FM\18OCN1.SGM 18OCN1 59106 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 201 / Thursday, October 18, 2007 / Notices plan to conduct a National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) test concerning Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue capabilities. These new capabilities will provide enhanced account management functions for ACE Portal Accounts. This notice also announces that the types of Portal Accounts in ACE have been expanded. This notice invites public comment concerning any aspect of the planned test, describes the eligibility, procedural and documentation requirements for voluntary participation in the test, and outlines the development and evaluation methodology to be used in the test. DATES: The effective date of this notice is October 18, 2007. The test will continue until concluded by way of announcement in the Federal Register. Comments concerning this notice and any aspect of the announced test may be submitted during the test period to the address set forth below. ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be submitted via e-mail to CBP.CSPO@dhs.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Operational aspects for importers and brokers: Ruthanne Kenneally at (202) 863–6064. Operational aspects for carriers: James Swanson at james.d.swanson@dhs.gov. Systems or automation aspects: ACE HELPDESK at ACE.HELPDESK@customs.treas.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES I. ACE Test Programs A. ACE Portal Accounts On May 1, 2002, the former U.S. Customs Service, now U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), published a General Notice in the Federal Register (67 FR 21800) announcing a plan to conduct a National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) test of the first phase of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). The test was described as the first step toward the full electronic processing of commercial importations with a focus on defining and establishing an importer’s account structure. The General Notice announced that importers and authorized parties would be allowed to access their customs data via a Web-based Account Portal. The notice set forth eligibility criteria for companies interested in establishing Account Portals accessible through ACE. Subsequent General Notices revised the eligibility criteria (see General Notice published in the Federal Register on February 1, 2005 (67 FR VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:55 Oct 17, 2007 Jkt 214001 5199)) and expanded the universe of eligible participants in the ACE test and the types of ACE Portal Accounts. On February 4, 2004, CBP published two General Notices in the Federal Register that established ACE Truck Carrier Accounts and opened the application period for authorized importers and their designated brokers to participate in the NCAP test to implement the Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS) process (see 69 FR 5360 and 69 FR 5362, respectively). Brokers were invited to establish Broker Accounts in ACE in order to participate in the NCAP test to implement PMS. In both of the February 4, 2004 General Notices, CBP advised participants they could designate only one person as the Account Owner for the company’s ACE Portal account. The Account Owner was identified as the party responsible for safeguarding the company’s ACE Portal Account information, controlling all disclosures of that information to authorized persons, authorizing user access to the ACE Portal Account information, and ensuring the strict control of access by authorized persons to the ACE Portal information. On September 8, 2004, CBP published a General Notice in the Federal Register (69 FR 54302) inviting customs brokers to participate in the ACE Portal test generally and informing interested parties that once they had been notified by CBP that their request to participate in the ACE Portal test had been accepted, they would be asked to sign and submit a Terms and Conditions document. CBP subsequently contacted those participants and asked them to also sign and submit an ACE Power of Attorney form and an Additional Account/Account Owner Information form. requirements relating to providing notice to CBP when there has been a material change in the status of the Account and/or Trade Account Owner, and explanatory provisions as to how the information from a particular account may be accessed through the ACE Portal when that account is transferred to a new owner. B. Terms and Conditions for Access to the ACE Portal On May 16, 2007, CBP published a General Notice in the Federal Register (72 FR 27632) announcing a revision of the terms and conditions that must be followed as a condition for access to the ACE Portal. These terms and conditions supersede and replace the Terms and Conditions document previously signed and submitted to CBP by ACE Portal Trade Account Owners. The notice specified that no further action would be required by ACE Portal Trade Account Owners for those ACE Portal Accounts already established with CBP with the proper Account Owner listed. The principal changes to the ACE Terms and Conditions included a revised definition of ‘‘Account Owner’’ to permit either an individual or a legal entity to serve in this capacity, new A. ACE Portal Account Enhancements ACE is now the lead system for CBPrequired master data elements (e.g., company name, address, point of contact) as well as related reference files (e.g., country code, port code, manufacturer ID, gold currency exchange rate and conversion calculator). See ACE Systems of Record Notice (71 FR 3109), published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2006. This means that the creation and maintenance of specified master data elements will originate in ACE and will be distributed to other CBP systems such as the Automated Commercial System (ACS). PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 C. ACE Non-Portal Accounts CBP has also permitted certain parties to participate in specified ACE tests without establishing ACE Portal Accounts (‘‘Non-Portal Accounts’’). On October 24, 2005, CBP published a General Notice in the Federal Register (70 FR 61466) announcing that importers could establish ACE nonportal accounts and participate in the PMS test under certain conditions. On March 29, 2006, CBP published another General Notice in the Federal Register (71 FR 15756) announcing that truck carriers who do not have ACE Truck Carrier Accounts may use third parties to transmit truck manifest information on their behalf electronically in the ACE Truck Manifest system via Electronic Data Interface (EDI) messaging. II. Test Concerning New ACE Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue (ESAR) Capabilities This document announces CBP’s plan to conduct a new test concerning ACE Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue (ESAR) capabilities which will provide enhanced account management functions for ACE Portal Accounts and expand the universe of ACE account types. Features of these new ACE functions, as well as the eligibility, procedural and documentation requirements for voluntary participation in the test, are described below. B. Importer Portal Accounts Importer Portal Accounts will have the ability to create and maintain specified importer data via the ACE E:\FR\FM\18OCN1.SGM 18OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 201 / Thursday, October 18, 2007 / Notices Portal. Filers will also have the ability to create a new CBP Form 5106 (Importer ID Input Record) via the ACE Portal or the Automated Broker Interface (ABI). For the present time, and until CBP’s e-bond functionality is deployed, importers who have a continuous bond on file who want to update their CBP Form 5106 information will need to submit the CBP Form 5106, along with the paper bond rider, to the CBP Revenue Division in Indianapolis. Additionally, importers and filers will have the ability to view applicable Participating Government Agency (PGA) licenses, permits and certificates via the ACE Portal. Eligibility requirements for Importer Portal Accounts remain unchanged. See 67 FR 21800, May 1, 2002. C. Broker Portal Accounts Broker Portal Accounts will have access to the following functionalities through the ACE Portal: Maintenance of organizational demographic data (e.g., addresses, points of contact, etc.); license and permit qualifiers; data on managing officials; employee lists; relationships to individual licensed brokers; points of contact and address information (at filer code level, for each local broker permit and each port covered by the local permit, and for the national broker permit). Broker Portal Accounts will also be able to generate the following reports: Local and national broker permits on an annual basis; broker employee lists; open broker permits; and delinquent permit user fees by port or broker. Broker Portal Accounts with a filer code may be used to create the CBP Form 5106 via the ACE Portal and can view applicable PGA licenses, permits and certificates. Eligibility requirements for Broker Portal Accounts remain unchanged. See 69 FR 5362, February 4, 2004. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES D. Truck Carrier Portal Accounts In addition to its current capabilities, a Truck Carrier Portal Account will now be able to view any applicable PGA licenses, permits and certificates and have access to the following functionalities through the ACE Portal: Maintenance of addresses and points of contact; and pre-registered truck conveyance, equipment, shipper, and consignee data. A Truck Carrier Portal Account will also be able to create and maintain driver accounts and search for and correlate existing driver accounts to their Carrier Account (see also Section III.D of this document). Eligibility requirements for Truck Carrier Portal Accounts remain unchanged. See 69 FR 5360, February 4, 2004. VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:55 Oct 17, 2007 Jkt 214001 III. Expanded ACE Portal Account Types The ACE Portal will now provide for the following additional Portal Account types: Carriers (all modes: air, rail, sea); Cartman; Lighterman; Driver/Crew; Facility Operator; Filer; Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Operator; Service Provider; and Surety. To be eligible to establish an ACE Portal Account, interested parties must be able to connect to the Internet. A. Application Process The term ‘‘application,’’ as used throughout this notice, is defined as a statement of intent from an interested party to establish an ACE Portal Account. Anyone wishing to establish an ACE Portal Account with access to the ACE Portal must submit an application to CBP (available at http:// www.CBP.gov) either via U.S. regular mail to the address noted on http:// www.CBP.gov or via e-mail to ACE.Applications@dhs.gov. In addition to the eligibility requirements described in this Notice, the application must include the information set forth under the applicable business category, as well as the name, address, and e-mail address of a point of contact to receive further information. Anyone providing incomplete information, or otherwise not meeting participation requirements, will be notified and given the opportunity to resubmit their application. Upon receipt of a complete application, CBP will contact the applicant with regard to any additional information that may be required. Participants will be required to acknowledge a continuing obligation to provide CBP with any updates or changes to the information originally submitted. Each participant must designate an individual or an entity as the ACE Portal Trade Account Owner on the application. The Trade Account Owner will be responsible for the information entered into the participant’s ACE Portal Account. The ACE Portal Trade Account Owner will be responsible for safeguarding the ACE Portal account information, controlling all disclosures of that information to authorized persons, authorizing user access to the ACE Portal account, and ensuring that access by authorized persons to the ACE Portal information is strictly controlled (see Terms and Conditions of Portal Access, 72 FR 27632, published May 16, 2007). All data submitted and entered into the ACE Portal is subject to the Trade Secrets Act (18 U.S.C. 1905) and is considered confidential, except to the PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 59107 extent as otherwise provided by law (see 19 U.S.C. 1431(c)). As stated in previous notices, participation in this or any of the previous ACE tests is not confidential and upon a written Freedom of Information Act request , a name(s) of an approved participant(s) will be disclosed by CBP in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552. B. Carriers (All Modes: Air, Rail, and Sea) To establish a Carrier (all modes: air, rail and sea) Portal Account, the following information is required: a. SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code), International Air Transport Association (IATA), or International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) designator (as applicable); and b. Method of transportation (i.e., air, rail, vessel). Initially, Carriers (all modes: air, rail and sea) who establish ACE Portal Accounts will only have access to the static data and basic account profile information necessary to establish their portal account. Any new ACE Portal Account functionalities that may be made available to Carriers on a test basis will be announced in a future General Notice published in the Federal Register. At that time, CBP will deploy an initial group of participants for participation in the NCAP test. It is anticipated that Carrier Portal Accounts will eventually derive the following benefits: • Access to operational data through the ACE Portal; • Electronic interaction with CBP; • Receipt of status messages concerning Account transactions; • Access to integrated Account data from multiple system sources; • Ability to manage and disseminate information in an efficient and secure manner; and • Ability to electronically transmit a manifest and obtain release of its cargo, crew, conveyances, and equipment via the ACE Portal or Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) messaging. C. Cartman or Lighterman Portal Account To establish a Cartman or Lighterman Portal Account, the following information is required: a. Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN); b. CBP-issued license number; and c. CBP-issued license number. Once the Portal Account is established, Cartmen or Lightermen will be able to maintain addresses, points of contact, employee information and manage its official data via the Portal. E:\FR\FM\18OCN1.SGM 18OCN1 59108 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 201 / Thursday, October 18, 2007 / Notices D. Driver/Crew Portal Accounts Drivers/Crew who are interested in having their information entered into ACE are encouraged to contact: (1) A truck carrier with EDI or an ACE Portal Account; or (2) a third party provider (this includes importers, brokers, and service centers) with an ACE Portal Account. Although Drivers/Crew are not required to establish an ACE Portal Account to transact business with CBP, Drivers/Crew who elect to have their own ACE Portal Account with a Driver/ Crew view will be required to submit the following information: a. Name; b. Date of Birth; and c. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). E. Bonded Warehouse, Container Freight Station (CFS), and Container Examination Station (CES) Facility Operator Portal Accounts To establish a Bonded Warehouse, Container Freight Station (CFS), or Container Examination Station (CES) Facility Operator Portal Account, the following information is required: a. Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN); b. Facilities Information and Resources Management System (FIRMS) code; and c. Bond number. Once the Portal Account is established, Facility Operators will be able to maintain Facility Operator addresses, points of contact, facility points of contact, and employee lists at the facility level, as well as store and view pertinent documents pertaining to the facility via the ACE Portal. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES F. Filer Portal Accounts To establish a Filer Portal Account, the Filer must provide their Filer Code to CBP. Once the Filer Portal Account is established, Filers will be able to maintain addresses and points of contact (at the filer code level and port level). G. Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Operator To establish a FTZ Operator Portal Account, the following information is required: a. Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN); b. Facilities Information and Resources Management System (FIRMS) code; c. Zone Number; d. Sub-zone Number (if applicable); e. Site Number; and f. Bond Number. Once the Portal Account is established, FTZ Operators will have the ability to maintain FTZ Operator VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:55 Oct 17, 2007 Jkt 214001 addresses, points of contact, and certifications pertinent to the site. FTZ Operator Portal Account Owners will also have the ability to view all sites operated by the FTZ Operator, as well as view and store documents pertinent to the site. H. Service Provider Portal Account To establish a Service Provider Portal Account, the following information is required: a. Software Vendor: Filer Code and/or SCAC; b. Service Bureau/Center: Filer code and/or SCAC; c. Port Authority: SCAC; d. Preparer: SCAC; and e. Surety agent: Filer code. Once the Service Provider Portal Account is established, Service Providers will be able to maintain addresses and points of contact via the ACE Portal. I. Surety To establish a Surety Portal Account, the following information is required: a. Surety Code; and b. Employer Identification Number (EIN). Once the Portal Account is established, sureties will be able to access the following functionality via the Portal: maintain addresses; points of contact; and Corporate Surety Power of Attorney data; and view Continuous bond data. IV. Suspension of Regulations During the testing of the Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue (ESAR) functionality, CBP is suspending provisions in part 24 of title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations (19 CFR part 24) relating to the filing of the CBP Form 5106, as well as provisions in 19 CFR part 111 relating to current procedures that are done via paper by customs brokers and that will now be done electronically. Absent any alternate procedures set forth above in the description of the test, the current regulations apply. V. Misconduct Under the Test An ACE test participant may be subject to civil and criminal penalties, administrative sanctions, liquidated damages, and/or suspension from this test for any of the following: • Failure to follow the terms and conditions of this test. • Failure to exercise reasonable care in the execution of participant obligations. • Failure to abide by applicable laws and regulations. • Failure to deposit duties or fees in a timely manner. PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • Misuse of the ACE Portal. • Engagement in any unauthorized disclosure or access to the ACE Portal. • Engagement in any activity which interferes with the successful evaluation of the new technology. Suspensions for misconduct will be administered by the Executive Director, Commercial Targeting and Enforcement, Office of International Trade, CBP Headquarters. A notice proposing suspension will be provided in writing to the participant. Such notice will apprise the participant of the facts or conduct warranting suspension and will inform the participant of the date that the suspension will begin. Any decision proposing suspension of a participant may be appealed in writing to the Assistant Commissioner, Office of International Trade, within 15 calendar days of the notification date. Should the participant appeal the notice of proposed suspension, the participant must address the facts or conduct charges contained in the notice and state how compliance will be achieved. In cases of non-payment, late payment, willful misconduct or where public health interests or safety is concerned, the suspension may be effective immediately. VI. Test Evaluation Criteria To ensure adequate feedback, participants are required to participate in an evaluation of this test. CBP also invites all interested parties to comment on the design, implementation and conduct of the test at any time during the test period. CBP will publish the final results in the Federal Register and the Customs Bulletin as required by 19 CFR 101.9(b). The following evaluation methods and criteria have been suggested: 1. Baseline measurements to be established through data analysis. 2. Questionnaires from both trade participants and CBP addressing such issues as: • Workload impact (workload shifts/ volume, cycle times, etc.). • Cost savings (staff, interest, reduction in mailing costs, etc.). • Policy and procedure accommodation. • Trade compliance impact. • Problem resolution. • System efficiency. • Operational efficiency. • Other issues identified by the participant group. Dated: October 15, 2007. Daniel Baldwin, Assistant Commissioner, Office of International Trade . [FR Doc. E7–20553 Filed 10–17–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111–14–P E:\FR\FM\18OCN1.SGM 18OCN1
[Pages 59105-59108]
[FR Doc No: E7-20553]
Announcement of National Customs Automation Program Test
Concerning Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Entry Summary,
Accounts and Revenue Capabilities
SUMMARY: This document announces Custom and Border Protection's (CBP's)
[[Page 59106]]
plan to conduct a National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) test
Accounts and Revenue capabilities. These new capabilities will provide
enhanced account management functions for ACE Portal Accounts. This
notice also announces that the types of Portal Accounts in ACE have
been expanded. This notice invites public comment concerning any aspect
of the planned test, describes the eligibility, procedural and
documentation requirements for voluntary participation in the test, and
outlines the development and evaluation methodology to be used in the
DATES: The effective date of this notice is October 18, 2007. The test
Register. Comments concerning this notice and any aspect of the
announced test may be submitted during the test period to the address
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be submitted via e-
mail to CBP.CSPO@dhs.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Operational aspects for importers and
brokers: Ruthanne Kenneally at (202) 863-6064. Operational aspects for
carriers: James Swanson at james.d.swanson@dhs.gov. Systems or
automation aspects: ACE HELPDESK at ACE.HELPDESK@customs.treas.gov.
On May 1, 2002, the former U.S. Customs Service, now U.S. Customs
and Border Protection (CBP), published a General Notice in the Federal
Commercial Environment (ACE). The test was described as the first step
toward the full electronic processing of commercial importations with a
focus on defining and establishing an importer's account structure. The
General Notice announced that importers and authorized parties would be
allowed to access their customs data via a Web-based Account Portal.
The notice set forth eligibility criteria for companies interested in
establishing Account Portals accessible through ACE. Subsequent General
Notices revised the eligibility criteria (see General Notice published
in the Federal Register on February 1, 2005 (67 FR 5199)) and expanded
the universe of eligible participants in the ACE test and the types of
ACE Portal Accounts.
On February 4, 2004, CBP published two General Notices in the
Federal Register that established ACE Truck Carrier Accounts and opened
the application period for authorized importers and their designated
brokers to participate in the NCAP test to implement the Periodic
Monthly Statement (PMS) process (see 69 FR 5360 and 69 FR 5362,
respectively). Brokers were invited to establish Broker Accounts in ACE
in order to participate in the NCAP test to implement PMS. In both of
the February 4, 2004 General Notices, CBP advised participants they
could designate only one person as the Account Owner for the company's
ACE Portal account. The Account Owner was identified as the party
responsible for safeguarding the company's ACE Portal Account
information, controlling all disclosures of that information to
authorized persons, authorizing user access to the ACE Portal Account
information, and ensuring the strict control of access by authorized
persons to the ACE Portal information.
Register (69 FR 54302) inviting customs brokers to participate in the
ACE Portal test generally and informing interested parties that once
they had been notified by CBP that their request to participate in the
ACE Portal test had been accepted, they would be asked to sign and
submit a Terms and Conditions document. CBP subsequently contacted
those participants and asked them to also sign and submit an ACE Power
of Attorney form and an Additional Account/Account Owner Information
Register (72 FR 27632) announcing a revision of the terms and
conditions that must be followed as a condition for access to the ACE
Portal. These terms and conditions supersede and replace the Terms and
Conditions document previously signed and submitted to CBP by ACE
Portal Trade Account Owners. The notice specified that no further
action would be required by ACE Portal Trade Account Owners for those
ACE Portal Accounts already established with CBP with the proper
Account Owner listed. The principal changes to the ACE Terms and
Conditions included a revised definition of ``Account Owner'' to permit
either an individual or a legal entity to serve in this capacity, new
material change in the status of the Account and/or Trade Account
Owner, and explanatory provisions as to how the information from a
particular account may be accessed through the ACE Portal when that
account is transferred to a new owner.
CBP has also permitted certain parties to participate in specified
ACE tests without establishing ACE Portal Accounts (``Non-Portal
Accounts''). On October 24, 2005, CBP published a General Notice in the
Federal Register (70 FR 61466) announcing that importers could
establish ACE non-portal accounts and participate in the PMS test under
certain conditions. On March 29, 2006, CBP published another General
Notice in the Federal Register (71 FR 15756) announcing that truck
carriers who do not have ACE Truck Carrier Accounts may use third
parties to transmit truck manifest information on their behalf
electronically in the ACE Truck Manifest system via Electronic Data
Interface (EDI) messaging.
II. Test Concerning New ACE Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue (ESAR)
ACE Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue (ESAR) capabilities which will
provide enhanced account management functions for ACE Portal Accounts
and expand the universe of ACE account types. Features of these new ACE
functions, as well as the eligibility, procedural and documentation
requirements for voluntary participation in the test, are described
ACE is now the lead system for CBP-required master data elements
(e.g., company name, address, point of contact) as well as related
reference files (e.g., country code, port code, manufacturer ID, gold
currency exchange rate and conversion calculator). See ACE Systems of
Record Notice (71 FR 3109), published in the Federal Register on
January 19, 2006. This means that the creation and maintenance of
specified master data elements will originate in ACE and will be
distributed to other CBP systems such as the Automated Commercial
System (ACS).
Importer Portal Accounts will have the ability to create and
maintain specified importer data via the ACE
Portal. Filers will also have the ability to create a new CBP Form 5106
(Importer ID Input Record) via the ACE Portal or the Automated Broker
Interface (ABI). For the present time, and until CBP's e-bond
functionality is deployed, importers who have a continuous bond on file
who want to update their CBP Form 5106 information will need to submit
the CBP Form 5106, along with the paper bond rider, to the CBP Revenue
Division in Indianapolis. Additionally, importers and filers will have
the ability to view applicable Participating Government Agency (PGA)
licenses, permits and certificates via the ACE Portal. Eligibility
requirements for Importer Portal Accounts remain unchanged. See 67 FR
21800, May 1, 2002.
Broker Portal Accounts will have access to the following
functionalities through the ACE Portal: Maintenance of organizational
demographic data (e.g., addresses, points of contact, etc.); license
and permit qualifiers; data on managing officials; employee lists;
relationships to individual licensed brokers; points of contact and
address information (at filer code level, for each local broker permit
and each port covered by the local permit, and for the national broker
permit). Broker Portal Accounts will also be able to generate the
following reports: Local and national broker permits on an annual
basis; broker employee lists; open broker permits; and delinquent
permit user fees by port or broker. Broker Portal Accounts with a filer
code may be used to create the CBP Form 5106 via the ACE Portal and can
view applicable PGA licenses, permits and certificates. Eligibility
requirements for Broker Portal Accounts remain unchanged. See 69 FR
5362, February 4, 2004.
In addition to its current capabilities, a Truck Carrier Portal
Account will now be able to view any applicable PGA licenses, permits
and certificates and have access to the following functionalities
through the ACE Portal: Maintenance of addresses and points of contact;
and pre-registered truck conveyance, equipment, shipper, and consignee
data. A Truck Carrier Portal Account will also be able to create and
maintain driver accounts and search for and correlate existing driver
accounts to their Carrier Account (see also Section III.D of this
document). Eligibility requirements for Truck Carrier Portal Accounts
remain unchanged. See 69 FR 5360, February 4, 2004.
The ACE Portal will now provide for the following additional Portal
Account types: Carriers (all modes: air, rail, sea); Cartman;
Lighterman; Driver/Crew; Facility Operator; Filer; Foreign Trade Zone
(FTZ) Operator; Service Provider; and Surety. To be eligible to
establish an ACE Portal Account, interested parties must be able to
The term ``application,'' as used throughout this notice, is
defined as a statement of intent from an interested party to establish
an ACE Portal Account. Anyone wishing to establish an ACE Portal
Account with access to the ACE Portal must submit an application to CBP
(available at http://www.CBP.gov) either via U.S. regular mail to the
address noted on http://www.CBP.gov or via e-mail to
ACE.Applications@dhs.gov. In addition to the eligibility requirements
described in this Notice, the application must include the information
set forth under the applicable business category, as well as the name,
address, and e-mail address of a point of contact to receive further
information. Anyone providing incomplete information, or otherwise not
meeting participation requirements, will be notified and given the
opportunity to resubmit their application. Upon receipt of a complete
application, CBP will contact the applicant with regard to any
additional information that may be required. Participants will be
required to acknowledge a continuing obligation to provide CBP with any
updates or changes to the information originally submitted.
Each participant must designate an individual or an entity as the
ACE Portal Trade Account Owner on the application. The Trade Account
Owner will be responsible for the information entered into the
participant's ACE Portal Account. The ACE Portal Trade Account Owner
will be responsible for safeguarding the ACE Portal account
authorized persons, authorizing user access to the ACE Portal account,
and ensuring that access by authorized persons to the ACE Portal
information is strictly controlled (see Terms and Conditions of Portal
Access, 72 FR 27632, published May 16, 2007).
except to the extent as otherwise provided by law (see 19 U.S.C.
1431(c)).
As stated in previous notices, participation in this or any of the
previous ACE tests is not confidential and upon a written Freedom of
Information Act request , a name(s) of an approved participant(s) will
be disclosed by CBP in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552.
To establish a Carrier (all modes: air, rail and sea) Portal
Account, the following information is required:
a. SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code), International Air Transport
Association (IATA), or International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
designator (as applicable); and
Initially, Carriers (all modes: air, rail and sea) who establish
ACE Portal Accounts will only have access to the static data and basic
account profile information necessary to establish their portal
account. Any new ACE Portal Account functionalities that may be made
available to Carriers on a test basis will be announced in a future
General Notice published in the Federal Register. At that time, CBP
will deploy an initial group of participants for participation in the
NCAP test.
It is anticipated that Carrier Portal Accounts will eventually
derive the following benefits:
Receipt of status messages concerning Account
Access to integrated Account data from multiple system
Ability to manage and disseminate information in an
efficient and secure manner; and
Ability to electronically transmit a manifest and obtain
release of its cargo, crew, conveyances, and equipment via the ACE
Portal or Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) messaging.
To establish a Cartman or Lighterman Portal Account, the following
a. Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number
(SSN);
Once the Portal Account is established, Cartmen or Lightermen will
be able to maintain addresses, points of contact, employee information
and manage its official data via the Portal.
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Drivers/Crew who are interested in having their information entered
into ACE are encouraged to contact: (1) A truck carrier with EDI or an
ACE Portal Account; or (2) a third party provider (this includes
importers, brokers, and service centers) with an ACE Portal Account.
Although Drivers/Crew are not required to establish an ACE Portal
Account to transact business with CBP, Drivers/Crew who elect to have
their own ACE Portal Account with a Driver/Crew view will be required
to submit the following information:
E. Bonded Warehouse, Container Freight Station (CFS), and Container
Examination Station (CES) Facility Operator Portal Accounts
To establish a Bonded Warehouse, Container Freight Station (CFS),
or Container Examination Station (CES) Facility Operator Portal
b. Facilities Information and Resources Management System (FIRMS)
Once the Portal Account is established, Facility Operators will be
able to maintain Facility Operator addresses, points of contact,
facility points of contact, and employee lists at the facility level,
as well as store and view pertinent documents pertaining to the
facility via the ACE Portal.
To establish a Filer Portal Account, the Filer must provide their
Filer Code to CBP. Once the Filer Portal Account is established, Filers
will be able to maintain addresses and points of contact (at the filer
code level and port level).
To establish a FTZ Operator Portal Account, the following
Once the Portal Account is established, FTZ Operators will have the
ability to maintain FTZ Operator addresses, points of contact, and
certifications pertinent to the site. FTZ Operator Portal Account
Owners will also have the ability to view all sites operated by the FTZ
Operator, as well as view and store documents pertinent to the site.
To establish a Service Provider Portal Account, the following
Once the Service Provider Portal Account is established, Service
Providers will be able to maintain addresses and points of contact via
To establish a Surety Portal Account, the following information is
Once the Portal Account is established, sureties will be able to
access the following functionality via the Portal: maintain addresses;
points of contact; and Corporate Surety Power of Attorney data; and
view Continuous bond data.
During the testing of the Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue
(ESAR) functionality, CBP is suspending provisions in part 24 of title
19 of the Code of Federal Regulations (19 CFR part 24) relating to the
filing of the CBP Form 5106, as well as provisions in 19 CFR part 111
relating to current procedures that are done via paper by customs
brokers and that will now be done electronically. Absent any alternate
procedures set forth above in the description of the test, the current
An ACE test participant may be subject to civil and criminal
suspension from this test for any of the following:
Engagement in any unauthorized disclosure or access to the
Engagement in any activity which interferes with the
successful evaluation of the new technology.
Suspensions for misconduct will be administered by the Executive
Director, Commercial Targeting and Enforcement, Office of International
Trade, CBP Headquarters. A notice proposing suspension will be provided
in writing to the participant. Such notice will apprise the participant
of the facts or conduct warranting suspension and will inform the
participant of the date that the suspension will begin.
Any decision proposing suspension of a participant may be appealed
in writing to the Assistant Commissioner, Office of International
Trade, within 15 calendar days of the notification date. Should the
participant appeal the notice of proposed suspension, the participant
must address the facts or conduct charges contained in the notice and
state how compliance will be achieved. In cases of non-payment, late
payment, willful misconduct or where public health interests or safety
is concerned, the suspension may be effective immediately.
interested parties to comment on the design, implementation and conduct
final results in the Federal Register and the Customs Bulletin as
required by 19 CFR 101.9(b).
Cost savings (staff, interest, reduction in mailing costs,