14 September 2004

[US] Customs testing truck e-filing

The following article is excerpted from the 13 September 2004 edition of “The Journal of Commerce”.

The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection announced plans Monday to test the automated truck manifest data portions of the National Customs Automation Program beginning in November, starting with two northern border crossings.

One of the key elements of the automation program is the Automated Commercial Environment, or ACE. The truck manifest data test is part of the ACE implementation.

Truck carriers participating in the test phase will be able to transmit truck manifest data electronically, and get release of their cargo, crew, conveyances and equipment via the ACE portal or through electronic messaging. Among the data to be transmitted is the advance cargo information currently required by the Trade Act of 2002.

During the initial stage, truck manifest information will be transmitted for conveyances crossing at the ports of Blaine, Wash., and Buffalo, N.Y.

Future sites will include Champlain, N.Y.; Detroit; Laredo, Texas; Otay Mesa, Calif.; and Port Huron, Mich. The first phase of the test will begin no earlier than Nov. 29. …