CBP Issues Winter 2003 ACE Modernization Monitor
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site the Winter 2003 issue of its "ACE Modernization Monitor" newsletter.
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This is Part I of a multi-part series of summaries on the Winter 2003 "ACE Modernization Monitor" and focuses on the expansion of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and the International Trade Data System (ITDS) to various participating government agencies, beginning with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in fall 2004. (ITDS is the instrument through which federal government agencies participate in ACE.)
FMCSA Projected to Go Online With ACE/ITDS in Fall 2004
The FMCSA is currently working with ITDS and CBP to standardize and integrate data formats and, in fall 2004, FMCSA is projected to go on-line with ACE as its Automated Truck Manifest feature is launched at the following seven land border ports:
| Blaine, WA |
| Buffalo, NY |
| Champlain, NY |
| Detroit, MI |
ACE/ITDS and FMCSA to Identify Unsafe Commercial Motor Vehicles and Drivers
FMCSA states that utilizing ACE/ITDS, combined with its Query Central system, federal inspectors will have the ability to identify and contain unsafe commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and drivers before they reach U.S. roads.
(FMCSA's Query Central is an Intranet application used for the past 18 months that provides a single access point for multiple CMV safety-related data sources. These data sources are both internal and external to the agency. Originally developed for CMV inspections, compliance reviews, and safety audits, Query Central's link with ACE/ITDS will automate the inspection selection process.)
By linking ACE with Query Central, CBP officers will know before a bus or truck reaches the primary inspection booth at a port of entry whether the vehicle and/or driver is free to enter U.S. roadways. Inspection personnel also will know whether they need to refer a vehicle or driver to secondary holding areas for further examination.
Outline of CBP and FMCSA information sharing. The sharing of information between CBP and FMCSA is designed to operate as follows:
CMV carrier submits electronic manifest through ACE/ITDS, which sends manifest data to FMCSA, identifying the carrier, driver, and vehicle;
FMCSA processes manifest data against multiple federal and state data sources to determine if the driver and/or vehicle need to be seen by FMCSA at the border;
FMCSA sends a response through ACE/ITDS either clearing the operator or identifying any problem areas;
ACE notifies the carrier of the result and lists any specified issues, which gives carriers the opportunity to resolve any safety issues prior to arrival at the border; and
FMCSA inspects those problem drivers/vehicles when they arrive at the border.
FMCSA's Query Central will review manifest data to ensure the following: (a) the carrier possesses valid U.S. operating authority and minimum levels of required insurance; (b) the vehicle operator holds a valid Commercial Drivers License or foreign equivalent with appropriate endorsements; (c) the equipment shows a current inspection by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance; and (d) whether FMCSA has issued any out-of-service orders against the carrier.
If electronic data shows drivers and vehicles meet these conditions and there are no other anomalies, they will be allowed to quickly proceed. However, if these conditions are not met, the vehicle or driver is referred to secondary holding areas for further inspection.
Six Other Agencies Have Begun to Integrate Operations into ACE/ITDS
In addition to the FMCSA, the following other agencies have begun integration of their operations into ACE/ITDS design and development:
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
International Trade Commission (ITC)
Maritime Administration (MARAD)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The ITDS Board of Directors has also lined up more than 25 federal agencies for ACE/ITDS participation during the next year.
ITDS Web site is located at www.itds.treas.gov.
Winter 2003 "ACE Modernization Monitor" (Volume 2) available at