CBP Announces NCAP Test of Automated Truck Manifest For Truck Carrier Accounts

(See ITT's 02/05/04 news, 04020510, for BP summary of CBP's February 4, 2004 general notice announcing its acceptance of applications to establish Truck Carrier Accounts for this NCAP test.)

This is Part I of a two-part summary of this general notice and provides highlights on CBP's implementation of the test, eligibility and acceptance, expansion of participation, methods of transmission, misconduct, and test evaluation. See future issue of ITT for Part II.

According to CBP, the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) component for which this general notice is announcing a test is Release 4 and involves allowing participating Truck Carrier Accounts to transmit electronic manifest data in ACE (including advance cargo information as required by Section 343 of the Trade Act of 2002, as amended by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA)).

Truck carrier accounts that participate in this test will have the ability to electronically transmit the truck manifest data and obtain release of their cargo, crew, conveyances, and equipment via the ACE Secure Data Portal (ACE Portal) or electronic data interchange (EDI) messaging.

ATM Test Will be Phased In, Beginning with Blaine and Buffalo

CBP states that its ATM test will be conducted in a phased approach, with primary deployment scheduled for no earlier than November 29, 2004. At the initial stages of the test, truck manifest data will be transmitted for conveyances crossing at the ports of Blaine, WA and Buffalo, NY. CBP states that subsequent deployment will occur at Champlain, NY; Detroit, MI; Laredo, TX; Otay Mesa, CA; and Port Huron, MI on dates to be announced.

CBP also notes that implementation of the automated truck manifest will not be immediate at all of the above referenced ports and that it will announce the implementation and sequencing of truck manifest functionality at these ports as they occur.

Additional participants and land border ports will be selected throughout the duration of the test and CBP will process additional Truck Carrier Account applications as CBP expands the universe of participation for this test.

(New applicants interested in participating in this test must submit an application to CBP, per the account application process outlined in CBP's February 4, 2004 general notice, and will be notified of the status of their application (i.e., whether CBP has accepted their application for participation upon an initial expansion, or, is holding their application pending a further expansion of the test). )

ATM Test Will Support Both ACE Portal and EDI Filing

For purposes of this ATM test, an interface to the trade will be established that will support both manual Internet filing via the ACE Portal and EDI filing via either ANSI X12 or UN/EDIFACT messaging.

CBP notes that it supports multiple communication interfaces for accessing ACE through EDI and that each potential ACE participant must evaluate the options and select the most appropriate interface based upon participant performance and business requirements. The list of options includes:

• CBP Internet Protocol (IP) Virtual Private Network (VPN)/Message Queuing (MQ) Series over the Internet (new option);
• CBP Frame Relay/MQ Series Network;
• Value Added Networks (VANS); and
• Service Centers.

Misconduct Could Result in Penalties, Sanctions, Suspension from Test, Etc.

CBP states that if a test participant fails to follow the terms and conditions of this test, fails to exercise reasonable care in the execution of participant obligations, fails to abide by applicable laws and regulations, misuses the ACE Portal, engages in any unauthorized disclosure or access to the ACE Portal, or engages in any activity which interferes with the successful evaluation of the new technology, the participant may be subject to civil and criminal penalties, administrative sanctions, liquidated damages, and/or suspension from this test.

Participants Will be Required to Participate in Evaluation of Test

To ensure adequate feedback, CBP states that participants are required to participate in an evaluation of this test. CBP also invites all interested parties to comment on the design, conduct and implementation of the test at any time during the test period. CBP will publish the final results in the Federal Register and the CBP Bulletin.

• test will commence no earlier than November 29, 2004
• comments concerning general notice and all aspects of the announced test may be submitted at any time during the test period

CBP contact - Thomas Fitzpatrick (Thomas.Fitzpatrick@dhs.gov)

CBP general notice (FR Pub 09/13/04) available at

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-20585.pdf.