Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Features

ACE features modernize and streamline trade processing across all sectors. ACE capabilities cover Manifest, Cargo Release, Post Release, Export and Partner Government Agencies (PGAs).

As CBP continues to progress toward the completion of ACE, the features and benefits for both government and industry will continue to grow. In coordination with the PGAs, CBP is on track to fully implement the Single Window in accordance with the Executive Order deadline, by the end of 2016.

These following resources provide information about ACE that applies across features:

Guidance on Recordkeeping in ACE

Manifest
Cargo Release
Post Release
Exports
Document Image System (DIS)
PGA Integration
ACE Portal

ACE currently supports the processing of rail, sea and truck electronic manifests. Electronic manifests allow the government to more quickly determine if incoming cargo poses a risk or can proceed into the country.

Benefits

Electronic manifests allow the government to more quickly determine if incoming cargo poses a risk or can proceed into the country
Reduced wait time for processing at Ports of Entry
Receive enhanced visibility of cargo status through new status messages

Technical	References	Support
Please find links below for technical specifications required to transmit data to CBP: Air Ocean Truck Rail	Training: Create and Maintain Ocean Conveyances in ACE Review of e-Manifest: Trucks Linking QP In-Bonds to ACE Portal Manifests In-Bond Guide for ACE Electronic Truck Manifest Three Methods an In-Bond Message can be Filed Via the ACE Portal or EDI Los Tres Métodos para archivar un Mensaje de In-Bond via ACE o EDI	ACE Manifest FAQs ACE e-Manifest: Rail and Sea In-bond Questions and Answers

Technical

References

Support

Please find links below for technical specifications required to transmit data to CBP:

Training:

ACE Manifest FAQs

ACE e-Manifest: Rail and Sea In-bond Questions and Answers

Working with representatives of trade associations, CBP has undertaken steps to simplify the entry process. The result of this work is a new reduced data set, consisting of fewer data elements to be filed for electronic submissions.

Benefits

Streamlined submission of data elements
Ability for PGA and CBP personnel to provide enhanced security, safety and compliance through faster processing
No longer file CBP paper form 3461

Technical	References	Support
ACE Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR)	ACE Cargo Release Business Process Document ACE Cargo Release Cancellation Process Non-Automated Warehouse Policy ACE Cargo Release Glossary of Terms	Cargo Release FAQs

Benefits

Reduction of electronic invoice transmissions through electronic Census overrides
Decreased Courier and Administrative costs through elimination of paper
ACE Periodic Monthly Statements also allow participants to pay duties and fees on a monthly basis rather than transaction by transaction

Quota

Quota Information Notice

Technical	References	Support
ACE Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR)	ACE Entry Summary Business Process and Policy ACE Entry Summary Instructions Post Summary Correction User Guide Periodic Monthly Statement User Guide eBond Information, Process and Questions	Entry Summary FAQs Post Summary Corrections Data Availability Change Notification

In April 2014, CBP deployed full export processing capabilities in ACE and decommissioned corresponding processing capabilities in the Automated Export System. These capabilities allow the electronic filing of export information directly to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Additionally, through working with the Department of Commerce, CBP has begun transitioning the U.S. Census Bureau’s AES Direct capabilities to ACE. Users who sign up for an ACE Portal Account and go through the requisite steps, may run self-generated reports on current and historical AES Direct data.

Benefits

File electronic export manifest data.
Incorporates Census Regulatory changes, for which enforced compliance has gone into effect October 3, 2014

Technical	Reference	Support
Commodity Filing (Automated Export System (AES) capabilities are part of ACE) Manifest Filing Requirements Technical Requirements for Ocean Export Manifest Submission via DIS	Availability of Air Export Testing ACE PGA Forms List for Exports	Export FAQs

With DIS you can electronically submit documentation needed by the Government during the import and export process.

Technical	References	Support
DIS Implementation Guide Technical Requirements for Ocean Export Manifest Submissions via DIS DIS XML Schema (Zip File)	ACE Basics - DIS ACE PGA Forms List DIS Federal Register Notice

ACE is working closely with Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) to implement the Single Window, which is part of the International Trade Data System (ITDS) initiative. Key single window capabilities have been deployed, including the Document Image System (DIS), PGA Interoperability, and the PGA Message Set.

Ultimately, PGAs will accept their form data by way of the PGA Message Set, DIS, or a combination of the two. In the interim, some agencies have issued guidance to allow form data to be submitted by way of DIS until capabilities and/or regulations are in place to accept through the PGA Message Set. For details on the methods of submission, and any interim guidance, please reference the ACE PGA Forms page.

Technical	References	Support
ACE Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR) PGA Message Set Implementation Guides ACE/ITDS PGA Message Set Process Flows ACE Cargo Release with PGA Data Glossary	ACE PGA Forms List for Imports ACE PGA Forms List for Exports Importance of the Single Window	PGA Integration FAQs

What is a PGA pilot

A PGA Pilot is an opportunity for the trade community to work closely with CBP and the Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) as we transition filers to ACE using the PGA Message Set. CBP assists in connecting the trade with the appropriate contacts at the various PGAs and providing guidance.

Who is eligible to participate in a PGA pilot

There are no restrictions to participate in the PGA Pilot, unless specifically noted. Filers, self-filers and software developers are all eligible to participate. Where possible, filers should already be filing ACE entry/cargo release and ACE entry summary transactions.

For the purposes of PGA pilots:

A software developer is any company or individual that develops software to transmit ACE entry/cargo release and entry summary data to CBP, and requires PGA message set data to be included on those transactions.
A filer is a broker or self-filing importer that uses their CBP assigned filer code to file entry/cargo release and entry summary data in ACE.
An importer is a company or individual using a licensed Broker to file entry/cargo release and entry summary data in ACE. Importers must work with brokers to begin filing transactions during the pilot.

What to expect from participating in a pilot

CBP and PGA technical teams will work to resolve any issues discovered during the pilot. A conference call may be held with the filer and software vendor to monitor the filer’s first ACE entry/cargo release transactions with PGA Message Set data. Once a transaction has been accepted and successfully processed end-to-end, a determination will be made to engage another pilot call or allow transactions to be filed independently.

Pilot Status & Prioritization

The table below provides the latest information regarding piloting status for agencies with PGA data requirements at the time of entry or entry summary. Agencies are grouped by Currently Mandatory in ACE, Group A, Group B, and Group C. The Groupings are intended to help the trade community prioritize their PGA programming requirements. For further details on filing requirements in ACE, please visit the Mandatory Dates page.

Agency or Program	Pilot Status	Related Links	Agency POC
Currently Mandatory in ACE
APHIS Lacey Act	APHIS (Lacey) pilot concluded March 31, 2016. Electronic entries and corresponding entry summaries (all entry types) with APHIS Lacey Act data must be filed in ACE. Entry/entry summaries for entry type 06 were required to be filed in ACE effective May 28, 2016. APHIS will enforce the mandatory filing of their data via the PGA Message Set for entry type 06 on November 28, 2016.		pamela.d.bennett@aphis.usda.gov
NHTSA	NHTSA concluded its pilot on March 31, 2016. Electronic entries and corresponding entry summaries (all entry types) with NHTSA data must be filed in ACE.		Clint.lindsay@dot.gov Coleman.sachs@dot.gov
FDA	FDA concluded its pilot on May 2, 2016 and published its Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) on July 1, 2016. Electronic entries and corresponding entry summaries (all entry types) with FDA data must be filed in ACE.	NPRM	Sandra.abbott@fda.hhs.gov
NMFS	NMFS published its final rule in August 2016 which, effective September 20, 2016 requires full electronic filings of products regulated by NMFS.	Final Rule	dale.jones@noaa.gov
Group A: Near Term Programming
FSIS	CBP published an FRN concluding the FSIS pilot on October 11, 2016.	PGA Message Set	Robert.berczik@fsis.usda.gov
ATF	ATF published a ruling on July 15, 2016 authorizing the use of the PGA Message Set to electronically submit data through ACE to CBP. ATF concluded its pilot On August 3, 12015. The importer is still required to mail the paper 6A form to ATF within 15 days of the date the article(s) are released from CBP.	ATF Form 6A	Imports-HelpDesk@atf.gov
TTB	The pilot will continue until the TTB regulations are updated and final. The NPRM was published on June 21, 2016.	NPRM	John.kyranos@ttb.gov
DDTC	The DDTC pilot is ongoing, and the import license decrementation function is working in ACE. Import entries are decrementing value, separate from the repair value only when the repair value is itemized on a second entry line. If the filer does not separate the unit value from the repair value, the single line total will decrement against the license.		WregeKM@state.gov
APHIS (CORE)	APHIS published an FRN on July 18, 2016 concluding its pilot on August 15, 2016. As of August 16, 2016 entry filers are required to file electronic entries in ACE with APHIS data and some or all APHIS forms. Please review the ACE PGA Forms List, available via the link at the bottom of this page, to identify documents still required in paper form.	FRN	Cindy.l.walters@aphis.usda.gov
Group B: Can Be Prioritized After Group A for Programming
EPA (FIFRA)	This pilot opened to all filers on July 6, 2016, and EPA’s NPRM is pending publication. This pilot will continue until the EPA regulations are finalized with the publication of a final rule. EPA’s mandatory date for electronic filings in ACE will be published in the final rule	CSMS Message #16-000563 announcing pilot	Chaudet.Roy@epa.gov passe.lorne@epa.gov
EPA (TSCA)	EPA published the NPRM on August 29, 2016 clarifying certain chemical terms and descriptions, and allowing for electronic submissions of TSCA certificate data elements. This NPRM also proposes to eliminate the blanket certification process.	Pilot notice	Chaudet.Roy@epa.gov passe.lorne@epa.gov
EPA (V&E)	The NPRM comment period has concluded, and EPA is reviewing the submitted comments. The mandatory date for the electronic filing of EPA data in ACE will be dictated by the publication of EPA’s final rule. This pilot will continue until the final rule is published.	Pilot notice	Chaudet.Roy@epa.gov passe.lorne@epa.gov
DEA	DEA published an FRN announcing the beginning of its pilot. DEA will conclude its pilot via a separate FRN.	FRN	Stephen.m.via@usdoj.gov
FWS	FWS published an FRN for their pilot on May 5, 2016, and its NPRM is pending publication. The mandatory date for the electronic filing of FWS data in ACE will be dictated by the publication of the FWS final rule. The pilot will continue until the final rule is published. FWS will conclude its pilot via a second FRN.	FRN	Tamesha_Woulard@fws.gov
CPSC	The CPSC pilot began in July 2016 and will continue throughout part of 2017.	FRN	jdubose@cpsc.gov
OMC	The OMC pilot has not yet begun as technical development is still underway.	FRN	FetteJA@state.gov
Group C: Can Be Prioritized After Group A and Group B for Programming
AMS	The AMS pilot is closed.		Douglas.Bailey@ams.usda.gov

Note 1: FCC Form 740 data submission has been waived and any submission of FCC data will be rejected.

General Pilot Instructions

All customs brokers and self-filers who are ready to file in ACE are encouraged to file entries in ACE for those PGAs with open pilots. General instructions for pilot participation are listed below. Please note that some agencies may require specific steps in order to participate in their pilot. Please contact your Client Representative if you have questions.

Step 1: Confirm software is current and able to process transactions.

If you are a filer: Check with your software vendor to ensure you have the current version required for the specified PGA.
If you are a self-filer: Proceed to step 2 if your software is ready for the specified PGA.

Step 2: Client Reps will guide you through this process for any other required information, including the actual Production filing.

Send port profile requests to the following CBP Points of Contact (POCs):
- Your assigned Client Representative
- COONEY, MICHAEL F (michael.f.cooney@cbp.dhs.gov)
- MORISHITA, TSUTOMU (tsutomu.morishita@cbp.dhs.gov)
- BARELA, MICHAEL G (michael.g.barela@cbp.dhs.gov)
- JOHNSON, EILEEN M (eileen.m.johnson@cbp.dhs.gov)
In your email, please include:
- Filer code;
- Filer name;
- Port code(s) you intend to file at;
- Vendor Name (or self-programmer) and;
- Company point of contact: name, email, and phone number.

Status of PGAs without Pilots

DCMA: There are no trade participants required for this agency.
USTR: Pasta forms are currently available and can be sent via DIS.

The ACE Secure Data Portal is a free, web-based access point designed to connect CBP, trade partners and Partner Government Agencies. The ACE Secure Data Portal gives users access to more than 400 reports that can be used to evaluate compliance and monitor daily operations.

Benefits