U.S. INDUSTRY WANTS CUSTOMS TO CLEARLY DEFINE ACS MAINTENANCE
Industry officials say they want a clear definition of maintenance for
U.S. Customs’ Automated Commercial System.
Customs says it will continue keeping the 15-year-old system running
while it works toward developing its future Automated Commercial
Environment. Enhancements in the old system beyond routine maintenance have been shelved
by the agency.
"We bring a lot of cargo into the country," said Adi Abel, manager
of
global customs and regulatory EDI processes for Sea-Land Service, at an industry meeting
in Portland, Ore. "ACS better continue to work."
Carriers are especially concerned about needed adjustments to continue to
operate efficiently in the Automated Manifest System module of ACS.
But Customs says it must concentrate its efforts on developing ACE. "I
think the trade wants us to focus our time and money on a system that won’t be obsolete in
the future," said Joseph Rees, trade ombudsman for Customs.