Additional Details from CBP's 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 II, the final partof a two-part series of summaries on the Winter 2003 "ACE Modernization Monitor" and focuses on CBP's plans for expanding participation in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/03/04 news, 04030310, for Part I.)
Participation in ACE Expected to Expand to 1,100 Accounts by End of 2004
CBP's "ACE Modernization Monitor" discusses in detail plans for ACE expansion in 2004. According to CBP, now that the ACE Secure Data Portal has been officially launched, 2004 is the first year ACE is projected to yield its first key growth in access.
CBP states that several hundred CBP personnel and trade community users now have access to the portal and that additional importer accounts are being added gradually, month-by-month, to ensure a smooth transition. CBP further notes that it recently began accepting applications for broker, truck carrier, and additional importer accounts.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/05/04 and 02/06/04 news, 04020510, 04020505, and 04020605, for BP summaries of recent CBP Federal Register notices that announced various ACE enhancements that are expected in 2004.)
According to CBP, beginning with the addition of periodic payment features in summer 2004, over the course of the year the number of users will jump from about 3,300 to approximately 20,000 users. CBP states that access will be expanded at the rate of about 125 accounts per month to approximately 1,100 importer, broker, and truck carrier accounts by the end of 2004.
In addition, CBP notes that in fall 2004 participating government agencies will begin to have ACE access, beginning with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Several other federal agencies are also beginning to integrate their operations into the ACE/International Trade Data System (ITDS) design. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/03/04 news, 04030310, for BP summary on the expansion of ACE and ITDS to participating government agencies.)
CBP also states that with the addition of automated truck processing features starting in fall 2004, ACE access will be launched on a port-by-port basis throughout seven of the busiest land border ports (Blaine, WA; Buffalo, NY; Champlain, NY; Detroit, MI; Port Huron, MI; Laredo, TX; and Otay Mesa, CA.) CBP states that in the next phases, new sites and features will be rolled out based on job functions and locations that will have the most effect on the introduction of new features, with the goal of minimal impact to continuing operations.
ACE is projected to be available throughout CBP ports, to multiple participating government agencies and to the entire trade community by the end of 2007.
Winter 2003 "ACE Modernization Monitor" (Volume 2) available at