CBP's January 2004 Modernization Newsletter Discusses Plans for ACE Expansion
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site its January 2004 U.S. Customs and Border Protection Modernization newsletter which discusses, among other things, CBP's plans for expansion of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) in 2004. The following are "highlights" of CBP's January 2004 newsletter:
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Announcements on Expansion of ACE to Brokers/Truck Carriers Expected Soon
CBP states that it expects to soon publish two Federal Register notices that will invite customs brokers and truck carriers to apply for ACE.
According to CBP, one Federal Register notice will invite designated customs brokers for the initial 41 importers who participated in the ACE Secure Data Portal pilot test to establish ACE accounts. CBP states that a second Federal Register notice will invite truck carriers to establish ACE accounts.
Broker Announcement to Include Pilot Testing of ACE Account Revenue Features
CBP states that the notice for customs brokers will also announce the pilot testing of ACE account revenue features, including electronic periodic payments and statements similar to commercial credit card systems. According to CBP, these features will permit customs brokers designated by the initial 41 importers to make payment on behalf of those importers.
Subsequent Announcement on Pilot Test of Electronic Truck Manifest Features
In addition to the two upcoming notices discussed above, CBP states that it expects to publish an additional Federal Register notice in July 2004 in order to announce a pilot test of electronic truck manifest features. Using technology similar to electronic highway toll payment devices, CBP officers at the border will be provided the information they need to allow release of vehicles, containers, and other conveyances into the U.S. electronically. According to CBP, these electronic manifests and filings are referred to as "eRelease."
Other Plans for ACE Expansion in 2004
CBP's January newsletter also contains an article that discussesadditional CBP plans for ACE expansion in 2004, as follows:
Spring 2004. CBP states that in March 2004 the number of ACE importer accounts is expected to reach 200 and later in spring 2004, a pilot test of account revenue features will begin (see above for details).
According to CBP, new border security technology prototypes will be tested, including Knowledge Based Risk Management, which analyzes patterns of account activities, and the Intelligent Information Factory, which provides more comprehensive analysis tools to the National Targeting Center.
Summer/Fall 2004. With the addition of periodic payment features in summer 2004, CBP states that it will begin adding approximately 125 new ACE accounts per month, to reach about 1,100 accounts by the end of 2004.
After the introduction of new truck processing features in fall 2004, CBP states that ACE access will be expanded on a port-by-port basis throughout the seven busiest land border ports. (CBP has previously stated that the initial seven ports are: Blaine, WA; Buffalo and Champlain, NY; Detroit and Port Huron, MI; Laredo, TX; and Otay Mesa, CA. See ITT's Online Archives or 12/02/03 news, 03120220, for previous BP summary.)
At that point, CBP also states that the first ACE Participating Government Agencies will begin to have ACE access, starting with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). According to CBP, the next agencies to have access to ACE will be the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), International Trade Commission (ITC), Maritime Administration (MARAD), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
CBP notes that over the course of 2004, the number of ACE users will jump from about 3,300 to approximately 20,000.
CBP's January 2004 Modernization newsletter available at