CBP Posts Fact Sheet on Upcoming ACE ESAR Features

New ACE ESAR features will enable CBP and its trade partners to interact electronically. Throughout the upcoming years, these enhanced account capabilities, affecting virtually all CBP cargo processes, will bring a comprehensive change in the way CBP conducts business.

(The ACE Secure Data Portal, essentially a customized Web page connecting CBP and the trade community, currently provides an account-based structure through which trade community participants can view CBP data. ACE portal account holders currently have access to more than 100 customizable reports that can be used to identify compliance issues and monitor daily operations. With the ACE Periodic Monthly Statement feature, participants have until the 15th working day of the month, following cargo release, to pay duties and fees for imported merchandise.)

ESAR A1 Built Upon Account-Based Data Portal (Sept 2007)

In September 2007, CBP deployed ESAR A1 capabilities that built upon the account-based features already available in the ACE Secure Data Portal. The enhancements expanded the number of account types, incorporated reference data formerly in the CBP Automated Commercial System (ACS) and integrated account management features, such as electronic access to all account master data and a single sign-on capability to access multiple accounts.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 09/11/07 news, 07091105, for BP summary on the September 9, 2007 deployment of ESAR A1.)

ESAR A2.1 to Add Ocean Conveyance, In-bond to Data Portal (Fall 2008)

In fall 2008, CBP is scheduled to deploy ESAR A2.1 features that enable carriers to create, maintain and display ocean conveyances in the ACE portal as well as an in-bond authorization file, which will allow the carrier to designate who is authorized to use its bond to move goods in-bond. (ESAR A2.1 will track the schedule of M1 (e-Manifest: Ocean and Rail) and be implemented before or with M1.)

ESAR A2.2 to Enhance Summary Processing for Entry Types 01/11 (Early 2009)

ESAR A2.2 capabilities, to be delivered incrementally beginning in early 2009, will result in integrated and enhanced automated entry summary processing in ACE. This incremental approach will allow trade partners more time for testing to ensure their systems are compatible with ACE and will allow CBP more time to prepare for the decommissioning of its existing ACS entry summary processing modules.

In early 2009, CBP will take the first steps toward implementing an updated automated entry summary process when entry summaries for the most common entry types (consumption and informal entries, entry types 01 and 11) are filed in ACE.

A new Census warning process will enable the trade community to electronically override Census warnings via the submission of an override code through the Automated Broker Interface (ABI).

A new "team review" capability will make entry summary processing more efficient and will provide a case-management approach that electronically traces the review history of the entry summary.

CBP Forms 28, 29 and 4647, "Request for Information," "Notice of Action" and "Notice to Mark or Redelivery," respectively, will be available electronically via the ACE Secure Data Portal. The trade community will be able to respond to these requests and attach supporting documentation online through ACE portal accounts, automating a previously paper-based process.

Scanning technology will be introduced to reduce costs associated with document submission, storage and retrieval for CBP and the trade community.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 08/20/07 news, 07082005, for BP summary of CBP's decision to phase-in ESAR A2, rather than deploy it overnight.)

ESAR A2.3 to Enable Remaining Entry Types to be Processed in ACE

CBP will begin deploying additional capabilities enabling the remaining entry summary types to be processed in ACE.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 06/04/08 news, 08060415, for BP summary of CBP's quarterly report to Congress on ACE, including ESAR A2.2 and A2.3.)

ESAR A2.4 to Enhance Entry Summary Functionality

CBP will introduce an electronic entry summary correction process that allows a filer to make post-summary corrections prior to liquidation without having to fax or e-mail a request.

The ACE subsidiary ledger will be integrated with the CBP general ledger, enabling CBP officials to access the financial status of an entry summary. The flexibility of payment options will be expanded, giving the trade community the option of making secure electronic payments via the Pay.gov Web site.

The current system of refund payments, made on a per-transaction basis, will be consolidated into a weekly distribution.

Filers of electronic bonds will be able to transmit bonds using ABI, giving filers more control over the issuance and validation of their bonds and providing sureties more visibility into their bond liability.

The reconciliation notification process will be enhanced to include "flag" notations at the line-item level of the entry summary. Reconciliation procedures will also be expanded to include other entry summary types.

The drawback process, which is a refund of duty, taxes and certain fees that have been lawfully collected on imported goods that are subsequently exported, will be further automated.

The process for filing protests will be further modernized and streamlined through ACE.

ESAR A3 to Add IASS Functionality

An automated ACE Importer Activity Summary Statement will be an option for the filing of statistical and revenue data for multiple releases. With ACE, the process will be automated and summaries will be able to be filed on an aggregate basis.

Upon completion, ACE will be the official trade processing system for more than 350 U.S. ports and other facilities around the world.

ACE fact sheet (posted 06/10/08) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/trade/ace_factsheets/ace_entry_summary.xml.