What’s up with the ACE Post Release Deployments? Get the latest here.

As a follow up to our June 27^th, 2017 blog, announcing the delay of CBP’s July 8^th ACE post release deployments, which was a follow up to our June 9^th, 2017 blog announcing CBP’s deployment of ACE post release, which was a follow up to our January 10, 2017 blog, etc…

You get the picture.  Deploying ACE post release capabilities has been an on again, off again proposition for CBP, though almost all of the capabilities are ready and available for trade testing.

CBP has recently modified the deployment schedule to include a phased approach, and today, CBP has updated their ACE deployment schedule, per CSMS# 17-000525.  To see the current ACE Deployment Schedule, Click here. 

Also, for additional clarification on these phased deployments, below is an email from 7/27/17 to the members of the TSN and the trade…

Dear Trade Support Network,

On June 27, 2017, CBP announced a delay in the deployment for the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) post release capabilities that had been scheduled for July 8, 2017.  This deployment includes liquidation (with the exception of the previously deployed electronic posting of the Notices of Liquidation on CBP.gov), reconciliation, drawback, duty deferral, statements, collections and the Automated Surety Interface (ASI).  With the exception of the collections functionality, these remaining post-release capabilities are ready and available for trade testing. Based on the results of rigorous testing of the collections capabilities, CBP has modified the deployment approach.

 Since the collections capabilities are largely inward facing, the replanned deployment strategy will enable us to separate collections and deploy the other post release capabilities of ACE core using a phased approach.  Developers are working software changes that will allow ACE deployment of these post release capabilities, while also ensuring that they continue to interface seamlessly with collections in the legacy system.

 The current phased deployment schedule is as follows:

• ACE Deployment G (September 16, 2017) – Non-ABI Entry Summary/Lineless (for CBP only), Duty Deferral, e214 (electronic Foreign Trade Zone admission) and Manufacturer ID Creation
• ACE Deployment G (December 16, 2017) – Statements
• ACE Deployment G (February 24, 2018) – Reconciliation, ACE Core Drawback and Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (TFTEA) Drawback, Liquidation and Automated Surety Interface (ASI)

 Between February 2018 and February 2019, trade users will have the option to file either Core Drawback or TFTEA Drawback.

• Core Drawback includes the following:
  • Consolidation to entry type 47
  • For electronic claims, submission of entire drawback package electronically
  • System validations
  • Integration with post release processes
  • Improved system controls
  • Does not require line level reporting
• TFTEA Drawback includes the following:
  • Substitution based on 8-digit HTS or Schedule B number
  • Requirement to file all drawback claims electronically
  • Recordkeeping requirement three years from date of liquidation
  • All claims due five years from date of importation
  • Reliance on documents kept in “normal course of business”
  • Requires line level reporting

 Please note the following: 

• CBP will be retraining our personnel and providing updated materials on each capability prior to these deployments. 
• The re-planning required to address the issues with collections capabilities is continuing. 
• The ABI Query for Foreign Currency Rates will remain in ACS until ACS is no longer available.  In parallel, currency rate calculation information is also posted on www.cbp.gov/ace.
• CBP will develop and deploy TFTEA drawback capabilities in accordance with the legislative mandate.

 Please share with you trade associates.