CBP Issues FAQ on ACE ESAR A1
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted to its Web site a frequently asked question document regarding Automated Commercial Environment Entry Summary, Accounts, and Revenue (ESAR) A1.
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(CBP sources recently stated that ESAR A1 for ACE accounts is expected to be deployed in mid-September 2007. See ITT's Online Archives or 08/29/07 news, 07082905, for BP summary.)
The following are highlights of the FAQ's questions and answers on ESAR A1:
Does A1 make the use of ACE mandatory? No. ESAR A1, officially called "ESAR: Master Data and Enhanced Accounts," is not a separate system for which CBP will require mandatory use.
A1 does not mandate the use of ACE; brokers/filers will still be able to use the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) to file transactions. The purpose of A1 is to expand ACE access, enhance what is already available via the ACE portal, and set the stage for future ACE capabilities.
Why is the implementation of A1 important? The implementation of A1 capabilities will facilitate both CBP and the trade community's ability to manage accounts. Additionally, the implementation of A1 will essentially provide for (1) the expansion of ACE account types to include virtually every entity doing business with CBP; and (2) the establishment of ACE as the official repository for account-related master data.
The capabilities included in A1 lay the foundation for future entry summary, accounts, and revenue features that will be deployed in phases and that will redefine and increasingly automate the way CBP does business, ultimately providing an integrated, account-based financial and entry summary processing system in ACE.
What capabilities are included in A1? A1 capabilities include: expanded ACE Secure Data Portal account types; centralized management of continuous bonds in ACE; the ability to store and view blanket Licenses, Permits, and Certificates (LPCs) from an initial group of eight Participating Government Agencies (PGAs)1; enhanced account management features, such as cross-account access, the merge account process, the ability to view and maintain account master data, access to reference data files (see below for details).
What are the overall benefits for the trade community? The expansion of ACE account types allows more trade entities to view and maintain all relevant account information stored in their accounts, such as employee lists, addresses, and points of contact. Expanding the number of account types opens up ACE participation to practically all trade entities, furthering the shift toward an account-based approach to conducting business with CBP.
Enhanced ACE Secure Data Portal features such as "merge accounts" and "cross-account access" also make it easier for account holders with portal access to manage their accounts.
In addition, ACE Secure Data Portal account holders can also access an expanded number of reference files (i.e., country and port codes, currency exchange rates, etc.) online via the ACE portal, minimizing the need to cross-reference the information in other automated or manual files. A Business Activity Log (BAL) will also provide ACE portal account holders the ability to attach scanned or electronic information to the account, as deemed appropriate by CBP or the trade account owner.
How can the trade apply for one of the additional account types if they are already an ACE portal account owner? Brokers, carriers, and importers who currently have an ACE portal account may sign up for new account types by contacting their CBP account manager or the Account Services Desk once CBP publishes the Federal Register notice announcing the deployment of ESAR A1 capabilities.
In the near future, a revised ACE application (to be available on the CBP Web site) will include the new account types to be activated with the deployment of A1 capabilities. (Eligibility requirements for each account type will be set forth in the Federal Register notice that will announce the introduction of A1 capabilities.)
What master data elements will be in the ACE system of record? Master data refers to the company, employee, and regulatory data that specific account types are required to provide to CBP. A key aspect of A1 is the establishment of ACE as the system of record for all master data elements required by CBP.
The creation and maintenance of all master data elements and related reference files will originate in ACE and will be distributed to other CBP systems (e.g. the Automated Commercial System (ACS)), for the following:
Account master data (i.e. names, addresses, points of contact, bonds, etc.)
Organizational data (i.e. port codes, Facilities Information Resource Management System (FIRMs) codes)
Reference data to support ESAR transactions (i.e. country codes)
Tariff file
Currency file
What reference data will become available with the deployment of A1? The following reference files will be available and accessible via the ACE Secure Data Portal with the deployment of A1:
Harmonized Tariff Schedule - searchable by HTS number, description, start date, end date, and quota type. The duty comp code, rates, special program indicator rates, and special program indicator codes will also be displayed.
Port codes and port calendars - searchable by code or by state.
Manufacturer ID - searchable only by exact ID.
Gold rate- searchable by date range.
Currency exchange - searchable by country code or currency code by date.
Country code - searchable by "drop-down" list of countries. Search results will display the country name, the country code, the applicable duty rate column indicator, as well as any restrictions and special program indicators.
Where can the trade go for additional information or to get help? For additional information on the capabilities available with A1, visit the CBP Modernization Web site at http://www.cbp.gov/modernization, or e-mail CBP at CBP.CSPO@dhs.gov.
For help using the ACE Secure Data Portal, the trade may contact the ACE Help Desk at 1-800-927-8729, (select Option 4, then option 2, then option 1). Also, the trade can e-mail the Help Desk at ace.helpdesk@customs.treas.gov.
1The eight PGAs are: Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS); Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS); Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC); National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF&E); Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB); and Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).
(For more information on ESAR A1's functionality see ITT's Online Archives or 08/09/07 and 06/11/07 news, 07080920 and 07061105, for BP summaries of CBP's discussion of the deployment of A1 at the ACE Exchange VI and V conferences, respectively.
See ITT's Online Archives or 08/28/07 news, 07082845 3, for BP summary on CBP posting an ACE fact sheet on initial ESAR A1 features.
See ITT's Online Archives or 08/06/07 news, 07080610, for BP summary announcing that CBP updated its ACE Web-based training to include a course on A1.
See ITT's Online Archives or 08/15/07 news, 07081505, for BP summary announcing that CBP posted fact sheets to its Web site containing information on the new/enhanced account types that will be available under A1. See ITT's Online Archives or 08/22/07 news, 07082215, for BP summary on the ESAR A1 carrier fact sheet.)
ESAR A1 FAQ (dated August 2007) available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/about/modernization/ace_esar/a1_faqs.ctt/a1_faqs.pdf