CBP, FMCSA to test new pre-note e-manifest program

WASHINGTON, (Sept. 15, 2004) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in conjunction with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), plans to conduct a National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) test concerning the pre-notification rules of automated truck manifest data.

The test — scheduled to begin no earlier than Nov. 29, 2004 at several Canadian-U.S. border points — is part of the Automated Commercial Environment, a streamlined release systems protocol mandated by the Trade Act in 2002. The test involves pre-selected truck carriers to open Truck Carrier Accounts to transmit electronic manifest data and obtain release of their cargo, crew, conveyances, and equipment via the ACE Portal or electronic data interchange (EDI) messaging.

As part of the pre-notification rule, Free and Secure Trade (FAST)-approved shipments must transmit the data to CBP no later than 30 minutes before reaching the border. Non-FAST carriers must submit data at least an hour before arrival.

At the initial stages of the test, truck manifest data will be transmitted for conveyances crossing at the ports of Surrey, B.C.-Blaine, Wash.; and Fort Erie, Ont.-Buffalo, N.Y. Subsequent deployment will occur at Lacolle, Que.-Champlain, N.Y.; Windsor, Ont.-Detroit, Mich.; Laredo, and Sarnia, Ont.-Port Huron, Mich.

The test will support the following processes: Free And Secure Trade (FAST), Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS), Border Release Advance Screening and Selectivity (BRASS); and In-bond Automated release. Transponder and proximity cards must be used in the FAST process and are recommended, but not required, for the other processes.

For purposes of this test, each potential ACE participant must select the most appropriate interface based upon participant performance and business requirements. The list of options includes: CBP Internet Protocol (IP) Virtual Private Network (VPN); Message Queuing (MQ) Series over the Internet (new option); CBP Frame Relay/MQ Series Network; and Value Added Networks (VANS).