U.S. Customs drops C-TPAT requirement for ACE
Participation in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism is no longer a prerequisite for Importers and their brokers who want to establish an account in the Automated Commercial Environment or participate in further development tests of the new automated system for processing trade data, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.
CBP officials first disclosed in January during the Customs Trade Symposium their intent to open the periodic monthly payment system to all importers by removing the C-TPAT requirement. Access to ACE was held out as a benefit for importers for joining C-TPAT and taking steps to follow best practices for securing their supply chains. C-TPAT participation was never a requirement for carriers who filed commercial shipping data through ACE.
Customs officials said the change was made because they want to encourage more importers to use ACE, which is designed to streamline communications between the trade and U.S. government agencies, and enhance border security through more timely collection and analysis of shipping data.
“This in no way indicates that the support of CBP management for the C-TPAT program has diminished,” said Assistant Commissioner Jayson Ahern in a statement.
CBP said it wants to get as many companies involved with ACE now so that the system works smoothly when the current computer system is eventually phased out and ACE becomes mandatory. Import and export entries are processed through the legacy computer on a transaction basis and all fees must be paid within 10 days after the goods are released by Customs. ACE marks a significant change in business because importers, brokers and carriers are billed and can pay duties, taxes and fees on a monthly basis.
