ACE Update February 2016 Trade Compliance is complicated and JD Group is here to help.

ACE Update February 2016 Trade Compliance is complicated and JD Group is here to help.

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This is the Year for ACE…A brand new import platform from U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system was designed and developed by US Customs and Border Protection with the sole purpose of having a single window to process importations into the United States. Although ACE has been under development for many years, it has now come to a point where 2016 is the year where ACE will become mandatory for all cargo release and entry summary processing.

ACE is not only for U.S. Customs Brokers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other U.S. government agencies (FDA, USDA, FCC, etc.); it is also available to US Importers to gain real-time visibility on all import activity into the United States. From any internet accessible computer any importer with an ACE account can view all their Import Trade Data in real time. As an ACE user, you have access to Import Entry Reports, US Customs Notices, Ports of Entry, Customs Brokers, etc. among many other data elements. ACE allows users to easily generate reports and export them to EXCEL or PDF for your convenience. Remember, as an Importer you are only able to view the information and not modify or transmit any data to US Customs. Only your designated U.S. Customs Brokers and Importer Self Filers may do so.

Mandatory Dates

US Customs and Border Protection is actively preparing the Trade Community (i.e. Customs Brokers, Importers, Freight Forwarders, OGA’s etc.) for the Mandatory Transition Dates during 2016.
CBP is working to complete and deploy core trade processing capabilities in ACE by December 2016, a timeline supported by the White House Executive Order issued on February 19, 2014. As part of this transition, several mandatory dates have been established requiring trade users to file electronic data to ACE in lieu of legacy systems.

The mandatory dates are aligned to different filing functions for CBP’s trade partners. They can be categorized by manifest filings, entry filings, entry summary filings, Partner Government Agency (PGA) filings, and remaining electronic portions of the CBP cargo process. Below, we have outlined which mandatory dates have criteria that will impact trade parties within cargo processing categories. By selecting a date, you will be taken to more details about the capabilities and filing requirements on that date.

With these dates approaching quickly, it is critical for members throughout the trade community to understand how they will be impacted and to prepare accordingly. CBP is encouraging everyone affected to complete transitioning as soon as possible to ensure readiness well in advance of the updated mandatory dates. To determine any impacts to your business, please review the information below to understand upcoming changes and how to prepare.

Entry Filings (Cargo Release) * March 31, 2016 / May 28, 2016 / Summer 2016***

Entry Summary Filings (CF 7501)** March 31, 2016 / May 28, 2016 / Summer 2016***

Remaining Portions of CBP Cargo Process / October 2016

PGA Filings March 31, 2016 / May 28, 2016 / Summer 2016***

* JD Group is filing 100% of Entry’s (excluding some PGAs that are not functional yet)

** JD Group is filing 100% of Entry Summary’s (including 100% of PGAs)

***Food and Drug Administration (FDA) filings will continue to be allowed in ACS to provide more time for industry to transition to ACE. Further information will be provided on the mandatory filing in ACE for FDA data.

For more information visit

http://www.cbp.gov/trade/automated/ace-mandatory-use-dates

It is important that you communicate with all your U.S. Customs Brokers to make sure they are ACE ready. Here at JD Group we are already using ACE to transmit our cargo releases and entry summaries. Our internal systems are fully prepared and operational to meet all ACE requirements.

How to get ACE ready

A great thing about ACE for importers is that it’s Free and User Friendly; all you have to do is register your company information. We strongly recommend that all importers setup and maintain their own ACE portal account. Here are 3 easy steps to get ACE Ready:

1.Visit: www.cbp/gov/trade/automated

  • a.Click Apply for an Account

2.Fill out the ACE application

  • a.Complete your Company Importer Information
  • b.Provide a Company Officer Information
  • c.Provide a Point of Contact Information Available (ACE user)
  • d.Sign and Submit (via email)

3.Once the application is submitted you will receive a notification from US Customs with instructions to access your secure ACE portal account. U.S. Customs will automatically upload your import trade data for up to five years. If you have trouble setting up your ACE account, don’t hesitate to contact us at JD Group, we are more than happy to help you through the entire process.