Customs brokers in 2015 will again need to focus on the development of the Automated Commercial Environment, as the timeline to full functionality gets closer (Oct. 1, 2016). Freight Forwarders will be maneuvering through the mutual recognition security/trusted trader programs or single window environment.
Customs and Border Protection’s ACE program will launch E-Bond on Jan. 3, which will give Customs brokers the opportunity to have instantaneous approval of continuous and single transaction entry bonds as well as allow remote location filing for entries that require single transaction bonds. However, this will only work when entry filings are done via ACE.
Next on the horizon, Nov. 1 is the mandatory use of ACE for electronic cargo release and entry summary filings, so now is the time to start filing entry summaries in ACE. This will allow the brokerage community and Customs staff to learn how the system works in day-to-day operations and cooperate on policy changes to maintain the flow of legitimate trade.
As ACE moves forward, the freight forwarders will be working with CBP and their clients on the single window environment and how it pertains to exports. Which proprietary information will U.S. exporters have to provide? And will it allow them to remain competitive in the global market? Hopefully, the exporting community working together with governments will allow U.S. exports to thrive.
Victoria Lane, President, Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Associations