|
01/05/2007 Crossing the Border Will Soon Require ACE
Time is running short for cross border carriers who have not yet signed up for the new U.S. Customs and Border Protection, CBP, electronic manifest program known as ACE, Automated Commercial Environment. ACE is designed to expedite cross border trade and at the same time enhance border security. In 2006 CBP began implementing a port by port mandatory electronic manifest policy using ACE. The e-Manifest requirement will be in effect at all U.S. land border points by late 2007.
The goal of the ACE system is to facilitate trade by reducing the time it takes truckers to cross the border and to free up Customs personnel so that they can focus their efforts on security rather than paperwork. ACE will allow inspectors to target specific cargo shipments that could potentially pose a threat, while expediting the passage of routine cargo shipments.
All cross border motor carriers will be required to have an ACE account (or access to a service provider with an ACE account) once the system becomes mandatory. Using their ACE account, motor carriers will submit electronic manifests for each of their vehicles to CBP prior to the arrival of the vehicle at the border crossing point. The e-Manifest will provide CBP officers with information that includes crew details (driver and co-driver), description and identification of the vehicle (truck and trailer), and detailed information regarding the cargo being carried.
ACE is designed to accommodate the time sensitive nature of the “just in time” delivery schedules of many businesses that operate in border trade zones. The system can accept e-Manifest data that is submitted as little as an hour before a truck is schedule to arrive at a border crossing.
As a truck approaches an inspection point at the border crossing, a transponder in the truck signals the truck’s arrival and automatically brings up the e-manifest information on a CPB terminal or portable data pad. The CBP officer will have all of the required information immediately available, with all of the data fields already filled in.
Motor carriers, importers, and brokers can expect to see a noticeable decrease in the time that their vehicles spend at the border waiting for clearance by customs once the ACE system is fully operational. From a CBP Fact Sheet about ACE: “By allowing the truck carrier to begin the import process early, drivers endure minimal time at the border itself, so delivery time is lessened and overall profits increased.” Trucking companies can also use their ACE accounts to track trips and fees as well as to generate more than 20 different types of reports.
Motor carriers, brokers, and importers will be able to submit e-Manifest information to CBP using one of the following methods:
-
ACE Secure Data Portal – A CBP web-based method for submitting the required information. The ACE SDP is free to set up and use.
-
CBP approved Electronic Data Interchange, EDI – There are three EDI options:
-
A carrier may develop their own software to interface with CBP EDI
-
A carrier may use EDI interface software provided by a vendor
-
Service provider – a carrier may use a third party to enter manifest data
As of May 2006, ACE was in operation at all U.S. Mexican border crossings. “…ACE now stretches more than 1900 miles along the U.S. Mexican border…..With the completion of installations on the southern border, ACE is in place to significantly enhance border security and expedite trade,” said Louis Samenfink, the Executive Director of CBP Cargo Systems Program Office.
CBP plans to have the ACE system in operation at all 91 land border crossing points in the U.S. by early 2007. By the end of 2007 ACE usage will be mandatory for motor carriers at all U.S. land border crossings. By 2010 CBP intends that all 350 entry points into the U.S. including seaports, railroad crossings, and airports will be fully integrated into the ACE system.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is encouraging cross border motor carriers to establish ACE accounts now so that the transition to e-Manifests can be made as smoothly as possible. So far over 2000 motor carriers, importers, and brokers have established ACE accounts. | 
