see also: in September 2005 Press Releases:   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Stands Down Hurricane Operations in the Gulf Coast Area   40th CBP Container Security Initiative Port Operational   CBP Makes History with the Launch of Predator B   CBP Border Patrol Agents Seize 1,134 Pounds of Marijuana   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Apprehends Fedex Bandit   CBP Employees Recognized for their Outstanding Contributions to Public Service at 2005 Service to America Awards Ceremony   CBP Pilot’s Heroic Efforts Save the Lives of 22 People Abandoned in the Desert ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   ACE: Modernization Information Systems

contacts for this news release

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has received more than $1 billion dollars in duties and fees through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) since the monthly statement and payment feature were introduced in July 2004. ACE is the commercial trade processing system being developed by CBP to enhance border security and expedite legitimate trade.

From July 2004 to August 2005, trade participants using the ACE monthly statement and payment feature paid $1.3 billion in duties and fees. In July 2004, only six monthly statements for 11 entries were generated for a total payment of $84,000 in duties and fees. In August 2005, $232 million in duties and fees from 53,147 entries were paid through ACE.

“The collection of a billion dollars is a major milestone for ACE. However, current monthly ACE payments represent only nine percent of the total duties and fees collected by CBP. Significant growth is still needed to reach full participation,” said Louis Samenfink, executive director, CBP Cargo Management Systems Program Office. “We encourage the trade community to establish an ACE account and find out more about the benefits of using the ACE monthly statement and payment capabilities.”

ACE trade benefits include:

1. Monthly payment of duties and fees instead of on a transaction-per-transaction basis
2. Duty payments on the 15th working day of the month for more than 45 days of interest free financial float
3. Online tracking of trade activities through customized account views
4. Access to more than 60 downloadable reports

The periodic monthly statement feature simplifies the processing of duty and fee payments for importers and brokers with ACE accounts. Trade account users mark the entries they wish to be paid on the statement, and then submit payments through Automated Clearing House processing. Periodic monthly statements obtained through the ACE Secure Data Portal can streamline accounting and report processing. The monthly statements provide an electronic record for large and small companies alike to trace their import activities, and a fast and user-friendly way to generate business reports. Making periodic payments through ACE also provides a cash flow advantage. Specifically, ACE periodic payment users have the ability to wait until the 15th working day of the next month to pay for shipments released during the previous calendar month.

More than 700 importers, brokers, and carriers have established ACE accounts.

ACE Secure Data Portal

The ACE Secure Data Portal is a customized computer screen that provides CBP and the trade community a centralized, on-line access point for communications and information. The portal enables information to be pulled from multiple systems throughout CBP into a single, integrated system. Through the development of tools such as the portal, ACE will provide unprecedented integration of data and communication abilities among CBP, the trade community, and eventually other federal agencies.

For information about how to establish an ACE account, e-mail CBP at acenow@dhs.gov. Also, check for the latest updates for ACE application information on the CBP website. ( ACE: Modernization Information Systems )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.