By: Stephen Jackson
Here is a quick check on some of the most recent information on the Refactored AESDirect project, the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and what it means to you.
On June 27, the ACE Secure Data Portal began supporting a new account type for “exporter” accounts. This new account type allows access to ACE Export Trade Reports and will allow users to file via AESDirect in ACE later this year. Again, AESDirect will be migrated into the ACE platform later this year. This is not to be confused with the recent broadcast messages about ACE Exporter Accounts and ACE Export Trade Reports that are available now.
What do these recent changes mean?
You can now register for an ACE Exporter Account and begin to view free ACE Export Trade Reports for shipments filed to the Automated Export System (AES) regardless of your filing method.
If you are a current ACE Portal Import Account user, you received access to your Export Trade Reports on June 27 after adding the exporter role for your account. If you are not a current ACE Import Account user, or you have additional employer identification numbers (EINs) that are not associated with your ACE account, you will be required to complete the U.S. Census Bureau’s vetting process for each EIN new to ACE to gain access to ACE Export Trade Reports.
For more information about the vetting process please read our broadcast message “ACE Exporter Account Registration & ACE Export Trade Reports.”
What do these changes not mean?
You cannot begin filing AESDirect in the ACE system. This functionality will be rolled out later this year (see timeline below). We still encourage you to create an ACE Exporter Account in order to prepare for the roll out of AESDirect and to take advantage of the ACE Export Trade Reports function.
Creating an ACE Exporter Account does not commit you to filing through AESDirect. This account will allow you access to your Export Trade Reports and the option of using AESDirect in the ACE platform when it becomes available.
Timeline
June 27: The account registration and export trade reports feature became available. Filers and USPPIs should begin to register for ACE accounts and request approval for access to their Export Trade Reports if you do not already have an ACE Import Account. Fall 2015: The AESDirect portal application will be available for filer use. Those who have already registered for an ACE account will have access immediately and all others will have to register for an ACE account in order to access the new AESDirect filing application. Filers will be able to transition “at-will” throughout a period of at least three months.
Early 2016 (tentatively): AESDirect EDI Upload & Weblink functionality will be deployed following the release of the AESDirect filing application.
In order to stay connected about updates and upcoming changes, continue checking out the blog and also sign up for our AES Updates subscription list!
I am reviewing our ACE data for imports and see an SPI of “Q”. Can you please explain what this SPI indicates?
Thanks
@Cheryl, ACE data for import questions would be addressed with ACE Support at Customs and Border Protection. They can be reached at 1-866-530-4172.
Will the AESDirect portal URL “http://aesdirect.census.gov” change?
Thank you!
Maricela
@Maricela, Yes this URL will change when we migrate to the new AESDirect in the ACE platform.
Good morning, I would like to know if any seminars will be held about ACE, besides webinars.
Thank you
@Vivian, ACE information is beginning to become part of our AES Compliance Seminar but only from the export side and how it relates to the Refactored AESDirect. Please continue to utilize our webinars for now as the best training.
Will the AESWebLink definition API change?
Will the URL for the AESWebLink Submission API “https://aesdirect.census.gov/weblink/weblink.cgi” change?
Thanks
@Angel Glez, There will be some changes to the AESWeblink information. This information will be coming out shortly in broadcast messages from our group.
@Global Reach Stephen. Like most of the application out there that allows filing shipment, one of our application uses AESDirect Weblink which consists of (a) AESWebLink Submission Transaction and (b) AESWebLink Inquiry Transaction
provided at http://aesdirect.census.gov/developers.html.
Please note our application uses “wl_app_ident” and nothing else.
Sorry if the question is redundant?. I have subscribed to the AES Updates subscription list!. But just want to make sure we are ready.
Question: Should we apply for any account for the getting ready for “Refactored AESDirect” The legacy AESDirect weblink had a certification process.
http://aesdirect.census.gov/support/weblink_certification.html.
Thanks in advance!.
@Bhakup, We certainly appreciate your desire to stay ahead of the curve with this migration to the ACE platform. You should have seen some recent broadcast that provided some more insight on the Weblink and EDI side of the migration. If you have not seen this, please find the broadcast at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/aesdirect/transitiontoace.html . There will be Q&A sessions in the next few weeks on this topic! Thank You!
Is there a fixed date yet where use of ACE will be mandatory and AES will become obsolete?
@Edward, As of right now we do not have a hard date that this switch will be required. We are continuing our effort to encourage users to make the transition now. With that said, we are expecting to close the legacy AESDirect in early 2016.
@Global Reach Stephen, Will we be able to retrieve our shipments that we submitted in AESDirect in the past years, in ACE? or, do I have to migrate them somehow?
Please advise.
Thank you
@ZeeJM, this is a great question! In order to retrieve your shipments that you have previously filed in legacy AESDirect, you will need to select the “Amend EEI” option in the upper right hand corner of the new Refactored AESDirect in ACE. The system will require you to provide the ITN, SRN and Filer ID. With this data, the system can retrieve your old shipment from AES and bring it into the new Refactored AESDirect portal.
I have an importer account with ACE and just created an exporter account as well. How will I file for my ITN when https://aesdirect.census.gov/aes/ is terminated? I have not seen a place for me to file for my export ITN’s within the ACE portal.
@Austin, So glad that you were able to create your exporter account. The best resource for seeing how to file in ACE for your ITN is a webinar we posted at: http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/outreach/index.html This webinar will walk you through getting to the new Refactored AESDirect portal and submitting a filing.