[Federal Register: February 1, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 20)]
[Notices]
[Page 5199-5200]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01fe05-91]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection
Automated Commercial Environment (ACE): Elimination of C-TPAT
Requirement To Establish ACE Importer and Broker Accounts
AGENCY: Customs and Border Protection; Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: General notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces a change to the application requirements
when applying to become an Importer or Broker Account so as to access
the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal (``ACE
Portal'') or to participate in any ACE test. Specifically, applicants
seeking to establish importer or broker accounts so as to access the
ACE Portal, or to participate in any ACE test, are no longer required
to provide a statement certifying participation in the Customs Trade
Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). Participation in C-TPAT has
never been a requirement to establish a carrier account.
EFFECTIVE DATES: The elimination of the C-TPAT requirement to establish
an account or participate in any ACE test is effective immediately.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael Maricich via e-mail at
Michael.Maricich@dhs.gov, or by telephone at (703) 668-2406.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On May 1, 2002, CBP published a General Notice in the Federal
Register (67 FR 21800) announcing a plan to conduct a National Customs
Automation Program (NCAP) test of the first phase of the Automated
Commercial Environment. In this notice, CBP stated that it planned to
select approximately forty importer accounts from the list of qualified
applicants for the initial deployment of this test. The notice also
stated that additional participants may be selected throughout the
duration of this test. In order to be considered as one of the initial
participants, importers' applications had to be received by CBP by June
1, 2002. Applications had to include the importer name, a unique
importer number, a statement certifying participation in C-TPAT, and a
statement certifying the capability to connect to the Internet.
On June 18, 2002, CBP extended the application period for those
desiring to be one of the initial importer participants by publishing a
second General Notice in the Federal Register (67 FR 41572). That
notice emphasized that applications to be an initial participant had to
be submitted to CBP prior to August 1, 2002. Applications would be
accepted after that date, but parties who so applied would be placed on
a waiting list and considered for participation pending expansion of
the technology.
On February 4, 2004, CBP published a third General Notice in the
Federal Register (69 FR 5362) announcing the next step toward the full
electronic processing of commercial importations in ACE, with a focus
on identifying authorized importers and brokers to participate in the
test to implement the Periodic Monthly Statement Process. The Notice
stated that participants in this test would benefit by having access to
operational data through the ACE Portal, enjoying the capability of
being able to interact electronically with CBP, and making payments of
duties and fees on a periodic monthly basis. Customs brokers, in order
to apply, were required to provide names of the initial forty-one
importers participating in the test by whom they had been or will have
been designated as the authorized broker. In order to establish an ACE
Broker Account, a broker was further required to file an application
for participation which was to include the broker name, unique
identification number, filer code, statement certifying participation
in C-TPAT, statement certifying the capability of connecting to the
Internet, statement certifying capability of making periodic payment
via the Automated Clearing House (ACH) Credit or ACH Debit, and a
statement certifying capability of filing entry/entry summary via
Automated Broker Interface (ABI).
Also on February 4, 2004, CBP published a General Notice in the
Federal Register (69 FR 5360) which described the application process
to be followed in order to establish a truck carrier account so as to
be eligible to participate in the electronic truck manifest
functionality. C-TPAT participation is not required in order to
establish a truck carrier account.
On September 8, 2004, CBP published a General Notice in the Federal
Register (69 FR 54302), reminding the public that importers and their
designated brokers may still apply to establish accounts so as to
participate in the Periodic Monthly Statement Process. The Notice again
invited customs brokers to participate in the ACE Portal test
generally.
C-TPAT Participation No Longer Required
In order to encourage maximum participation in ACE and make
benefits such as periodic monthly payment widely available, the
application process to establish an importer or broker account or to
participate in any ACE test will no longer require that a statement
certifying C-TPAT participation be provided. It is important to note
that this in no way indicates that the support of CBP management for
the C-TPAT program has diminished. C-TPAT participants
[[Page 5200]]
will continue to realize specific benefits such as reduced
examinations. Removal of the C-TPAT requirement for participation in
ACE is intended to increase the usage of ACE so as to further
streamline the commercial importation process, which will benefit both
the importing community and CBP.
Dated: January 27, 2005.
Jayson P. Ahern,
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations.
[FR Doc. 05-1768 Filed 1-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P