Speaking at the Trade Support Network’s convention in Arlington, Va. on December 12, 2006, the Commissioner went on to commend the trade community for its “level of commitment to the development of ACE,” which is “deeply appreciated by CBP.”

ACE
When speaking of the accomplishments of ACE, the Commissioner described it as having an “integral role in securing our borders and facilitating trade and travel…one of the largest IT development projects taking place in the U.S. government today.” (At the same time, keeping the Automated Commercial System—the previous method used to track, control, and process all commercial goods imported into the United States—working smoothly is also a top priority of CBP.)

“ACE provides the cargo management, screening, and targeting capabilities that make out layered defense strategy work,” the Commissioner stated. “ACE is transforming the way the government does business” and “in the future, it will be the primary trade processing system used by CBP.”

Commissioner Basham went on to explain the benefits ACE is providing to the trade as well, one of these being the periodic monthly statement capability. This capability allows importers a way to pay duties and fines on a monthly basis instead of for each transaction, allowing for a more streamlined transaction process where companies can track their activities through customized account views. Companies also have the option of waiting until the 15th working day of the calendar month to pay for the previous month’s transactions, which could provide significant cash flow benefits.

E-manifest
Truck manifest capabilities are another feature of ACE. Since CBP received its first e-manifest nearly two years ago, more than 50,000 have been filed, with more than 5,000 being filed each week, the Commissioner said.

The mandatory e-manifest policy eventually will be enforced at all land border ports, with the addition of border ports in Washington state, Arizona, and certain ports in North Dakota starting in January of 2007.

“ACE, coupled with our FAST—Free and Secure Trade—program gives CBP something we’ve never had before,” the Commissioner explained, “advance, electronic information from truck carriers.” The Commissioner went on to discuss some goals of the program. “As we continue to improve the periodic monthly payment, e-Manifest, and other ACE capabilities, our goal is to ensure the process is smooth and efficient.”

He went on to say that “over the next few years, through ACE, we will integrate or replace virtually all CBP trade processing systems. By 2010, we expect ACE to be fully deployed to our more than 300 official ports of entry covering rail, sea, and air cargo processing.”

The SAFE Port Act and ACE
The Commissioner also made some remarks about the SAFE Port Act, which, among other things, officially establishes the International Trade Data System—ITDS—under the Department of the Treasury and mandates that all federal agencies with import or export documentation requirements participate in this system.

The ITDS will serve many agency automated systems, including ACE, by distributing to those systems information collected electronically from importers, exporters, carriers, and other parties to international trade. The information collected will consist of a standard set of data that meets the needs of all U.S. government agencies.

“This puts us on the fast track toward achieving the reality of a single window to government for trade data,” said the Commissioner. He went on to explain that “this also means that companies need only submit a standard set of trade data one time, in one electronic format, to meet all government requirements.” At this point in time, 29 agencies participate in ITDS.

10 + 2
With the strategy to secure and facilitate trade in place, and now enacted into law, CBP is moving ahead to refine and expand elements of the strategy. The Commissioner went on to state that, “with advance data…the act underscores the need for advance information to screen the millions of cargo on vessels at foreign ports. It further requires the electronic transmission of additional data elements for improved high risk targeting prior to loading of cargo on vessels at foreign ports.”

Data elements may include information about the manufacturer and/or seller, country of origin, or details of the product.

CBP has developed what is referred to by the trade community as “Ten Plus Two”: ten data elements from imports or their designated agents, and two types of data from carriers that will be required 24 hours before vessel lading (acknowledgement that specified goods have been received as cargo for conveyance to a designated place for delivery. There is still some discussion that needs to go on regarding the input needed for “Ten Plus Two” however, ranging from definitions and technology to the actual transmission of the data elements.

Future Forward
The Commissioner concluded by stating that “CBP remains committed to looking strategically at every aspect of ACE. We continually look critically at our processes. We are evolving and adapting, and as always, looking to you [the trade] to provide us with feedback on how to make our systems better.”

CBP and the trade community, he said, are integral partners in the development of ACE, and it will reach its full potential as this public-private partnership continues.