CBP General Notice on Modifications to the Deployment Schedule for NCAP Test of Automated Truck Manifest

Due to its experience with the implementation of the test in Blaine, WA, CBP states that it has decided to change the implementation schedule of this test, which is currently being conducted by CBP in conjunction with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Cluster and "Model Port" Deployment Strategy

First cluster includes Blaine; Sumas to be "model" port.The ports identified as belonging to the first cluster include Blaine, WA, which is the original port of implementation.

However, Sumas, WA, another port in the cluster, will be the "model" port. According to CBP, the "model port" deployment strategy will allow for more efficient equipment set-up, site checkouts, port briefings and central training.

The other ports of deployment in this cluster include: Point Roberts, WA; Oroville, WA (including sub ports); Boundary, WA; Danville, WA; Ferry, WA; Frontier, WA; Laurier, WA; Metaline Falls, WA; Nighthawk, WA; and Lynden, WA.

(According to CBP, the test will be operational as of June 1, 2005 at the above-listed Washington ports.)

Next test deployment sites to also be brought up as cluster, with 1 "model" port.

CBP states that the next deployment sites will be brought up as a cluster. One site in the cluster will be identified as the "model site" for the cluster.

Buffalo is not next test deployment site.CBP notes that Buffalo, NY will not be the next test deployment site. (In its notice announcing this NCAP test, CBP stated that the test would be conducted in a phased approach, and identified the ports of Blaine, WA and Buffalo, NY as the original deployment sites. However, CBP now notes that the test commenced in Blaine, WA in December 2004, but not at Buffalo, NY.)

All Other Previously Announced Requirements/Aspects of Test Continue to Apply

CBP states that its March 2005 general notice, which modified the NCAP test to clarify that all relevant data elements are required to be submitted in the automated truck manifest submission, did not announce any change to the deployment schedule. CBP notes that the March 2005 notice is not affected by publication of this notice.

According to CBP, all requirements and aspects of the test discussed in the March 2005 notice, or any other previous notices, except to the extent expressly modified by this new notice, are hereby incorporated by reference into this notice and continue to be applicable. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/22/05 news, 05032205, for BP summary of CBP's March 2005 general notice.)

(CBP has previously stated that this NCAP test allows participating truck carrier accounts to transmit electronic manifest data in the Automated Commercial Environment (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)). CBP has also previously stated that truck carrier accounts that participate in this test have the ability to electronically transmit truck manifest data and obtain release of their cargo, crew, conveyances, and equipment via the ACE Secure Data Portal or electronic data interchange (EDI) messaging. See ITT's Online Archives or 09/14/04 and 09/15/04 news, 04091410 and 04091515, for BP summaries of CBP's announcement of this test.)

(See ITT's Online Archives or 04/07/05 and 05/02/05 news, 05040705 and 05050210, for BP summaries of the March and April 2005 CBP Modernization newsletters which discussed CBP's plans to launch ACE Release 4 (Truck Manifest) to ports in geographic clusters, etc.)

- comments may be submitted at any time during the test period

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

CBP general notice (FR Pub 05/31/05) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-10700.pdf