ACE enhances security, speeds up the flow of goods into US
BELLEVUE, Washington – April , 11, 2012 – Trade Tech, a global supplier of Cloud-based solutions for the logistics industry, announced today that it is one of the first technology providers to receive certification for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). This certification allows Trade Tech’s customers, including NVOs, shippers and freight forwarders, to directly transmit and receive trade and security information with CBP via a single platform well in advance of the September 29, 2012 deadline.
ACE is the commercial trade processing system being phased in by CBP to facilitate legitimate trade and strengthen border security. ACE will completely replace the Automated Commercial System (ACS) in September and it will be the only CBP-approved EDI portal for transmitting required advance information for ocean and rail cargo to CBP. Streamlined trade and security filings under ACE will enable goods to pass more quickly through border crossings, give users better control and visibility of their assets, and allow CBP to spend less time on paperwork and more time on security initiatives.
Trade Tech’s ACE certified solution allows importers to submit required security information to CBP in a single, harmonized filing, using an X12 data set. This gives CBP a consolidated view of rail and sea shipment manifests and entry data, at either the bill-of-lading or container level to help identify shipments that may pose a risk.
This information also enables the pre-arrival processing of legitimate cargo, which expedites Customs clearance for Trade tech customers.
“Our ACE solution was implemented seamlessly earlier this month and we designed it so our customers do not need to do anything differently – they simply work in the same cloud-based Trade Tech portal that they always have. They still enter the exact same shipment data elements,” says Bryn Heimbeck, Trade Tech’s CEO.
“ACE is a backend system change for Customs which will bring visibility to different commercial environments, including truck, ocean and rail, and 48 participating government agencies. We are well in advance of meeting the September 2012 deadline and we are strong supporters of ACE.”
He noted that ACE was created to provide a higher visibility between participating government agencies as to what cargo was coming into the USA and from whom. “This allows the different agencies to further collaborate with one another to make better, more efficient decisions about security, targeting cargo for exams etc. and for the release of containers to expedite the flow of cargo,” says Heimbeck. All Automated Manifest Systems (AMS) and Importer Security Filing (ISF) filings with Trade Tech will now be submitted through
the ACE portal.
Participating in ACE supports the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) dual mission to facilitate legitimate trade and secure the Nation’s borders. ACE provides many tangible benefits for importers, brokers, and carriers, including:
- Financial savings with the periodic monthly payment capability;
- Reduced processing time at the border with features like electronic truck manifest;
- Ability to view shipment status and store data via the ACE Secure
- Data Portal; and Capabilities to develop over 100 customized reports.
About Trade Tech:
Trade Tech, a global supplier of Cloud-based solutions for the logistics industry, is owned and operated by industry professionals.
It also is an ERP for the freight-forwarding and NVOCC community, licensing and delivering applications in key areas, including:
- Cloud computing
- Cost optimization / pricing
- Transportation management
- Rate management
- Supply chain / purchase order management and visibility (tracking and tracing)
- Sales / operations
- Accounting
- Ø AMS/ACI and security related to ocean and air transportation, including all Cargo Security Filing requirements, including Smart Border
- 10+2 Rule Solution Provider
Founded in 1997, Trade Tech’s applications link shippers, importers, Customs House Brokers, consignees, NVOCCs, carriers, truckers, warehouses and forwarders, providing visibility of the movement of goods throughout the supply chain. Trade Tech clients enjoy access to the latest applications and data anywhere in the world every time they log on to the Trade Tech network – without any software downloads. For more information, please visit: www.tradetech.net.
About ACE:
The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is a system being developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to automate and consolidate border processing. ACE will be the centralized access point that connects CBP, the trade community, and other government agencies. The development of ACE began in 2001 as a replacement for CBP’s Automated Commercial System (ACS), an older trade information database. The purposes of ACE are to streamline business processes, facilitate growth in trade, ensure cargo security, provide the tools to monitor the movement of individuals and materials into and out of the country, and foster participation in global commerce.
According to the CBP web site, ACE will benefit U.S. citizens, the trade community, government agencies, and the economy as a whole. The trade community will have a more efficient web-based interface with government agencies, reducing the cost and burden of processing transactions for both the government and the trade community.
Government agencies with border enforcement and regulatory responsibilities will be better able to share information, which will improve analysis to target and analyze goods coming into the country.
Finally, moving goods to market faster and at lower cost will have positive impacts on the U.S. economy.