CBP Posts Information on the Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS) for Inbound Trucks
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted a document containing information on the Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS) for inbound trucks to its Web page on the Trade Act of 2002 - Advance Electronic Information.
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According to CBP, this document provides carriers with complete instructions for getting started in PAPS, including technical specifications and operational requirements. Although it is aimed at northern border carriers, CBP states that the document is useful for all PAPS participants.
Until ACE Operational, Advance Truck Cargo Information to be Transmitted Using PAPS, QP/WP, Etc.
CBP has previously stated that in order to effect the advance electronic transmission of required truck cargo information to CBP as mandated by the Trade Act of 2002 and a December 5, 2003 final rule, CBP has approved PAPS, as well as QP/WP, to be used for the interim until the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Truck Manifest (Release 4) becomes fully operational.
However, CBP also stated that as a temporary accommodation, CBP will not require either PAPS or QP/WP to be used if the merchandise transported by the truck carrier is currently approved for processing under the Customs Automated Forms Entry System (CAFES) or Border Release Advanced Screening and Selectivity (BRASS) programs.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 08/18/04 news, 04081805, for BP summary of CBP's announcement of the three compliance dates of November 15, 2004 (40 ports), December 15, 2004 (43 additional ports), and January 14, 2005 (16 additional ports) for the submission of mandatory advance electronic information for inbound truck cargo.)
Document Includes Information on PAPS Application Procedure, Etc.
CBP's PAPS document includes the following:
Instructions on how to apply (including information on how to obtain a Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC), develop a company PAPS barcode, etc.);
Steps to be completed by the carrier, U.S. customs broker, and CBP;
PAPS standard operating procedures;
A blank inward cargo manifest for a vessel under five tons, ferry, train, car, vehicle, etc. showing the proper position for the PAPS barcode label;
Detailed requirements for the PAPS barcode label design; and
Information on progressive (PRO) numbers and check digits. (A PRO number is assigned by the carrier to uniquely identify the shipment in the carrier's system, and a check digit is a calculated value used to enhance the accurate capture of numeric characters when those characters are input into a computer system.)
CBP's PAPS document (posted 10/20/04) available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/communications_to_industry/advance_info/paps.ctt/paps.doc