CBP Posts Information on the ACE Account Activation Process
As previously reported, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a Federal Register notice stating that it is expanding access to the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal, and that an ACE account must be established as the first step.
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(See ITT's Online Archives or 09/09/04 news, 04090905 for BP summary of CBP notice opening up participation in ACE Portal Test to customs brokers, etc.)
At about the same time, CBP posted information to its web site stating that to begin the application process, one needed to send an email to ACENow@dhs.gov affirming that your company meets the criteria laid out in the appropriate Federal Register notice.
CBP had also posted three related documents to its web site regarding: power of attorney, terms and conditions, and additional account/account owner information.
CBP Posts Additional Document on Activation of ACE Accounts
CBP has now posted an additional document, entitled Information for New Accounts - Account Activation Process. According to CBP, this document outlines the steps required to activate an ACE Account, summarizes the relevant data to be gathered and submitted by the trade participants and explains the Account Access Privileges for each user-type to access the ACE Secure Data Portal ("ACE Portal").
CBP also states that there are five phases to the Account Activation Process:
Identification of Account Owner (including completion of Power of Attorney)
Signed Terms and Conditions Document
Request for Multiple Business Categories
Signed Interconnection Security Agreement (ISA)
Population of the Account Data
CBP Lists Data Required for Customs Brokers, Carriers, Importers
In this new document, CBP also lists the data required for the Account Activation Process for Customs brokers, carriers, and importers (including, for importers, applying for Periodic Monthly Statement).
Four CBP documents regarding ACE applications available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/about/modernization/ace_app_info/ace_app/
BP Note
BP has several questions regarding the Federal Register notice on expanding access to the ACE Secure Data Portal, as well as the availability of periodic monthly statement, etc., and will update subscribers when new information is available.