CBP to test trade data programs

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP) will test its collection and sharing of trade data in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) with pilot projects to begin in four unspecified port locations scheduled to start in late March and run through June.

The agency will begin implementing data summary capabilities for the national trade community with voluntary participants in the pilot demonstrations, CBP said, adding that the testing will allow for filing, processing and information-sharing of data on trade transactions.

The goal is to provide more informative data for all users of the system as well as nationwide visibility of trade processing activities, the agency also said. "Increased communication between CBP and the trade community will provide national visibility of forms, rejects, team reviews and other actions,” CBP said in a news release on Feb. 12.

The implementation is occurring in tandem with CBP’s shift to an account-based approach to collecting and storing trade data, rather than a transaction-based approach, the agency added. The new system allows CBP to send out monthly bills for fees and duties.

Sharing trade information through ACE also will enable CBP to implement trade policies and procedures in a more consistent manner, the agency said.