CBP Information on Getting Started with EDI for Filing ACE Electronic Truck Manifests

Those Interested in Getting Started Must Submit Letter of Intent

CBP states that those who are interested in filing Electronic Truck Manifests using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) must submit a letter of intent.

The letter of intent should be written on company letterhead and should include:

name and telephone number of the company's principal management and technical contacts;

the Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) used by the company;

the ports of entry where the company's vehicles cross into the U.S. and the approximate number of crossings per month for each location;

a brief description of the company's data communications system (i.e. MQ/Frame or MQ/VPN or communicating through a third party service provider);

indicate whether programming will be done using ANSI X.12 or UN/EDIFACT messages; and

if the system is being developed or supported by a data processing company, include the data processing company's name, contact person, telephone number, and expected completion date of the programming/installation.

The letter of intent should be sent to: CBP, 7501 Boston Blvd, Room 211, Springfield, VA 22153, Attn: Janet Pence, Director, Customer Support and Systems Training or faxed to (703) 921-7563.

Client Representative Will Be Assigned to Prospective EDI Participant

Once the letter of intent is received, a CBP Client Representative will be assigned to work with the prospective participant and serve as a technical advisor during the development, testing, and implementation stages.

Interconnection Security Agreement May Be Required

In accordance with implementation of the CBP Information Systems Security Policy, CBP states that participants that transmit electronic data directly to CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) may be required to have a signed Interconnection Security Agreement (ISA) on file with CBP.

Information on how to identify those participants that are required to file an ISA and instructions on how to complete and forward the ISA to CBP is available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/operations_support/automated_systems/isa/.

CBP contact - TJ Cacanindin (703) 921-7284

CBP notice (dated 04/26/05) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/about/modernization/getting_started_edi.xml

BP Note

CBP has previously stated that in order to effect the advance electronic transmission of the required truck cargo information to CBP as mandated by the Trade Act of 2002 and a December 5, 2003 final rule, CBP approved the following two interim EDI systems for use until ACE Truck Manifest (Release 4) becomes fully operational: (1) Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS), and (2) QP/WP (an Automated Broker Interface (ABI) in-bond processing system that allows ABI filers to create and process in-bond shipments).

However, as a temporary accommodation, CBP stated that it would not require either of the CBP-approved EDI systems to be used if the merchandise transported by the truck carrier is currently approved for processing under the Border Release Advance Screening and Selectivity (BRASS) or the Customs Automated Forms Entry System (CAFES) programs. CBP stated that under the BRASS program exception, certain conditions must be met, one of which is that the truck carrier carrying the merchandise only utilizes drivers who are registered under the FAST program and carrying a FAST Driver Card.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 04/26/05 news, 05042600, for BP summary of CBP's press release announcing its May 1, 2005 enforcement of the FAST card requirement for BRASS shipment drivers.)