CBP Opens Up Participation in ACE Portal Test to All Customs Brokers, Etc
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a general notice inviting customs brokers to participate in the National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) Test for the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal (ACE Portal).
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(Prior to this general notice, customs brokers could only participate in the ACE Portal test if they were designated by participating importers to make Periodic Monthly Statement payments on their behalf. See ITT's Online Archives or 02/05/04 and 02/06/04 news, 04020505 and 04020605, for BP summaries of CBP's previous general notice regarding broker participation in the NCAP Test of ACE Periodic Monthly Statement.)
In addition, CBP is emphasizing that all 1) importers and 2) importers and their designated brokers may still apply to participate in the ACE Portal test.
CBP states that it is seeking to expand the number of ACE importer and broker accounts.
Priority given to first 1,100 applications received. CBP states that it will give priority to the first 1,100 applications it receives. CBP further notes that once interested parties have been notified that their request to participate in the ACE Portal test has been accepted, they will be asked to sign and submit a Terms and Conditions document.
According to CBP, applicants will be notified of the acceptance of their applications and any applicant who does not meet the eligibility criteria or who provides an incomplete application will be notified and given the opportunity to resubmit his or her application.
Brokers must first establish an individual ACE Broker Account. CBP states that brokers wishing to participate in the ACE Portal test must first establish an individual ACE Broker Account.
ACE Importer and Broker Account applications. The application instructions for importers and brokers appear to substantially unchanged from those previously announced by CBP in May 2002 (importers) and February 2004 (brokers). However, CBP has provided a new email address to which applications to establish ACE Importer and Broker Accounts should be sent (acenow@dhs.gov). (See general notice for complete application details.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 05/02/02 and 06/19/02 news, 02050205 and 02061905, for BP summaries of CBP's previously issued importer application instructions. See ITT's 02/05/04 and 02/06/04 news, 04020505 and 04020605, for BP summaries of CBP's previously issued broker application instructions.)
Previous test requirements and aspects continue to be applicable. CBP states that all requirements and aspects of the ACE Portal test discussed in previous notices are incorporated by reference into this general notice and continue to be applicable. Examples of such requirements and aspects are the rules regarding misconduct under the test and the required evaluation of the test.
- test application period remains open until further notice
- comments may be submitted at any time
| Sherri Braxton (703) 440-3000 (ACE importer/broker accounts) |
| Lamar Witmer (202) 344-1320 (general CBP Account Management) |
BP Note on Availability of Documents Related to ACE Application Process
CBP has posted a notice to its Web site announcing that it has completed significant improvements to the ACE Portal and is currently expanding access. The notice states that an email should be sent to ACENow@dhs.gov affirming that your company meets the criteria laid out in the appropriate Federal Register notice to begin the application process.
With this notice, CBP has also posted the following related documents:
Terms & Conditions for Account Access of Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Portal
Automated Commercial Environment Account Portal Power of Attorney
Additional Account/Account Owner Information
CBP notice and documents available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/about/modernization/ace_app_info/ace_app/: