CBP Posts Updated Information on ACE Account Activation Process
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has updated its document on the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) entitled Information for New Accounts - Account Activation Process, which summarizes the relevant data to be gathered and submitted by trade participants and explains the Account Access Privileges for each user-type (i.e. brokers, carriers, and importers) to access the ACE Secure Data Portal.
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Five-Phase ACE Account Activation Process
CBP explains that the ACE account activation process comprises the following five phases:
Phase 1 - Designation of the Account Owner, which includes completion and submission of a signed CBP Power of Attorney form and providing additional account/account owner information.
Phase 2 - Signed Terms and Conditions Document, which sets forth the conditions, obligations, and responsibilities for accounts, account owners, and account users. If this document is modified at a later date, written notification will be provided in advance to the account owner.
Phase 3 - Request for Multiple Business Categories, the account must determine the category or categories that best describe the account. CBP's document lists relevant Federal Register notices which provide additional information for requesting an additional business category (or categories).
Phase 4 - Signed Interconnection Security Agreement(ISA). CBP states that all participants that transmit electronic data directly to CBP are required to have a signed ISA on file with CBP.
Phase 5 - Population of the Account Data. CBP notes that it requires the account owner to collect all information required to populate the account. These data requirements vary for brokers, carriers, and importers.
In addition to outlining the specific steps required to complete the above-described phases, CBP's document outlines the data and other information required for brokers, carriers, and importers to activate their ACE accounts.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/02/05 news, 05020205, for BP summary of CBP's announcement that C-TPAT membership is no longer required to establish ACE Secure Data Portal accounts. See ITT's Online Archives or 09/13/04 news, 04091305, for BP summary of earlier CBP information on establishing ACE accounts.)
CBP's ACE Account Activation Document (dated April 2005) available athttp://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/about/modernization/ace_app_info/new_accounts_final.ctt/new_accounts_final.pdf