ACE (AUTOMATED COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENT) MANDATORY USE

First Mandatory Use of ACE Starts in Six Months; CBP Urges Preparation

Thursday, November 06, 2014

Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report

U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently issued the following information to help members of the trade community prepare for the upcoming three-phase transition from the Automated Commercial System to the Automated Commercial Environment.
Manifest Data. As of May 1, 2015, import and export manifest data being filed with CBP electronically will have to be sent via ACE. This requirement will extend to all modes of transportation: air, rail, ocean and truck. To prepare, CBP advises filers to ensure they have updated their software to enable manifest data to be transmitted in accordance with the latest CBP technical guidelines.
Cargo Release/Entry Summary. Starting Nov. 1, 2015, electronic cargo release and entry summary data submitted to CBP must be transmitted to ACE. This requirement will include any data that extends to the jurisdiction of partner government agencies. To guarantee that data is being sent correctly, filers should ensure that either they or their vendor has programmed the required changes necessary to allow them to transmit to ACE.
Everything Else. From Oct. 1, 2016, filers will need to ensure that all additional cargo data (e.g., protest and liquidation data) is being sent to ACE.