The long-awaited and much-anticipated full integration of the Automated Commercial Environment into the international trade processes is upon us. By the end of 2016, ACE will be the single window through which manual processes will be streamlined and automated, paper will be eliminated, and the international trade community will be able to more easily and efficiently comply with U.S. laws and regulations.
The NCBFAA has worked tirelessly to ensure that ACE succeeds. We have conducted Customs and Border Protection-led Webinars, published daily summaries of ongoing activities, worked with boards, committees and assorted advisory groups to guide the developers and process leaders to minimize trade disruptions. Customs thoroughly understands the enormous implications of this paradigm shift and is implementing a system that will benefit all stakeholders in the supply chain. We will continue monitoring ACE’s ongoing development and will assist our members and the industry in their transition to an ACE trading environment.
Another issue affecting not only our forwarder community, but the whole trade community, is the July 1 implementation of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea Container Weight Verification Requirements. Under these regulations, no containerized cargo will be loaded after July 1, 2016, unless the shipper provides a verified weight certificate for the container to the carrier and port terminal operator that can be used in preparing a ship’s stowage plan. These certification requirements apply to all cargo tendered by forwarders and NVOCCs as well as cargo tendered by beneficial cargo owners.
This change raises a number of issues for forwarders, non-vessel-operating common carriers, and exporters including the availability of facilities to weigh the containers, insurance coverage implications, how to handle rejected weight certificates or roll cargo, potential revisions to terms and conditions or house bills of lading, and what form of authorization shippers should provide weighing facility operators.