ACE participants at three ports may begin filing March 15

Customs and Border Protection will begin the second phase of testing for the entry summary, accounts and revenue (ESAR) of the Automated Commercial Environment.

The announcement in the March 5 Federal Register notes that participants in the ACE testing program may begin filing entries classified as normal consumption entries and informal entries. The test will begin no sooner than March 15 at Buffalo, Long Beach, Chicago, and Laredo, Texas, and expand to an additional 17 ports after April 15. The test will expand to all remaining ports after June 15.

In addition to entry summaries, ACE portal users will be able to store manufacturer affidavits, Nafta certificates of origin, non-reimbursement blanket statements for antidumping and countervailing duties, and importer certifying statements. Filers will not be able to store certain marking rulings as was originally planned.

Customs said that the system will be able to take remote entry filings, but not on the first day. Users should watch for an announcement on the cargo systems management system.

Customs also is extending an invitation for new importers to join THE ACE testing program. Interested companies should contact their client representatives, or call (703) 650-3500.