ACE will be sole CBP-authorized EDI system effective July 23, 2016

On May 23, 2016, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published a Federal Register notice (81 FR 32339-32340) announcing, effective July 23, 2016, that the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) will be the sole CBP-authorized EDI system for electronic entry and entry summary filings (for all filers).

On the effective date the electronic filings listed immediately below must be formatted for submission in ACE, and will no longer be accepted in the Automated Commercial System (ACS). 

 01--Consumption--Free and Dutiable
 02--Consumption--Quota/Visa
 03--Consumption--Antidumping/Countervailing Duty
 06--Consumption--Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)
 07--Consumption--Antidumping/Countervailing Duty and Quota/
Visa Combination
 11--Informal--Free and Dutiable
 12--Informal--Quota/Visa (other than textiles)
 21--Warehouse
 22--Re-Warehouse
 23--Temporary Importation Bond (TIB)
 31--Warehouse Withdrawal--Consumption
 32--Warehouse Withdrawal--Quota
 34--Warehouse Withdrawal--Antidumping/Countervailing Duty
 38--Warehouse Withdrawal--Antidumping/Countervailing Duty & 
Quota/Visa Combination
 51--Defense Contract Administration Service Region (DCASR)
 52--Government--Dutiable
 61--Immediate Transportation
 62--Transportation and Exportation
 63--Immediate Exportation
 69--Transit (Rail only)
 70--Multi-Transit (Rail only)

Until CBP publishes a future Federal Register notice, with a transition date, the 
following entry types must continue to be filed only in ACS. 

 08--NAFTA Duty Deferral
 09--Reconciliation Summary
 41--Direct Identification Manufacturing Drawback
 42--Direct Identification Unused Merchandise Drawback
 43--Rejected Merchandise Drawback
 44--Substitution Manufacturer Drawback
 45--Substitution Unused Merchandise Drawback
 46--Other Drawback

Filings for the below entry types will not be automated in ACS or ACE.

 04--Appraisement
 05--Vessel--Repair
 24--Trade Fair
 25--Permanent Exhibition
 26--Warehouse--Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) (Admission)
 33--Aircraft and Vessel Supply (For Immediate Exportation)
 64--Barge Movement
 65--Permit to Proceed
 66--Baggage

Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Guidance Updated

On March 11, 2016 the European Commission published an update to the AEO Guidelines.  The AEO concept is one of the key security elements created within the Community Customs Code (Regulation (EC) 648/2005).  The guidelines were recently updated to account for the experience gained, ensure harmonized implementation of the AEO rules, and align the guidance with the Union Customs Code (Regulation (EU) 952/2013).  The Union Customs Code was adopted on October 9, 2013, entered into force on October 30, 2013, and will apply on May 1, 2016.    

AEO status can be granted by any Member State to an economic operator meeting certain criteria in the following areas: customs compliance, record-keeping, financial solvency and, where relevant, appropriate security and safety standards.

Key Links:

• AEO Guidelines
• European Commission - Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)
• European Commission - The Union Customs Code

Key Term(s):

Authorized Economic Operator - is defined by the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards as a party involved in the international movement of goods, in whatever function, that has been approved by, or on behalf of, a national Customs administration as complying with WCO or equivalent supply chain security standards. AEOs include inter alia manufacturers, importers, exporters, brokers, carriers, consolidators, intermediaries, ports, airports, terminal operators, integrated operators, warehouses and distributors.