[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 14, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48527-48528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19931]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection


National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) Test Concerning 
Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Simplified Entry: Modification 
of Participant Selection Criteria and Application Process

AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland 
Security.

ACTION: General notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces modifications to the National Customs 
Automation Program (NCAP) test concerning the simplified entry 
functionality in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). The test's 
participant selection criteria are modified to reflect that while 
importer self-filers must still hold a Customs-Trade Partnership 
Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Tier 2 or higher status to be eligible to 
participate in the test, the C-TPAT status of an importer for whom a 
customs broker files a Simplified Entry is no longer an eligibility 
criterion. In addition, the test is no longer limited to nine (9) 
participants and, for a limited time, CBP is accepting applications 
from interested parties wishing to participate in the test. Prior 
applicants who were not accepted to participate in the test must re-
apply for consideration.

DATES: The Simplified Entry test modifications set forth in this 
document are effective August 14, 2012. Applications to participate in 
this test must be received by CBP within 14 business days from August 
14, 2012. Comments may be submitted to the Web site indicated in the 
``ADDRESSES'' section below at any time throughout the test. The 
initial phase of the test will run until approximately December 31, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: Comments or questions concerning this notice and indication 
of interest in participation in Simplified Entry should be submitted 
via email to [email protected]. For a comment, please 
indicate ``Simplified

[[Page 48528]]

Entry Federal Register Notice'' in the subject line of your email.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For policy related questions, contact 
Steve Hilsen, Trade Policy and Programs, Office of International Trade, 
at [email protected]. For technical questions, contact Susan 
Maskell, Client Representative Branch, ACE Business Office, Office of 
International Trade, at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

In General

    Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) National Customs Automation 
Program (NCAP) test concerning Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) 
Simplified Entry functionality (Simplified Entry) is authorized under 
Sec.  101.9(b) of title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations (19 CFR 
101.9(b)), which provides for the testing of NCAP programs or 
procedures. See Treasury Decision (T.D.) 95-21. The procedures and 
criteria related to participation in Simplified Entry were announced in 
a notice published in the Federal Register on November 9, 2011 (76 FR 
69755), and remain in effect unless explicitly changed by this or 
subsequent notices published in the Federal Register.
    Simplified Entry allows participants to submit 12 required and 
three (3) optional data elements to CBP at any time prior to the 
arrival of the merchandise on the conveyance transporting the cargo to 
the United States. This data fulfills merchandise entry requirements 
and allows for earlier release decisions and more certainty for the 
importer in determining the logistics of cargo delivery. This initial 
phase of the test will run until approximately December 31, 2013, and 
is open to entries filed in the air transportation mode only.

Modification to Test Participant Selection Criteria

    In the notice published in the Federal Register on November 9, 2011 
(76 FR 69755), announcing the initial phase of the Simplified Entry 
pilot, CBP stated that participation in the test was limited to nine 
(9) participants comprised of importers holding a Tier 2 or higher 
Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) status (applicable 
to both importer self-filers and importers for whom an eligible customs 
broker files a Simplified Entry) and customs brokers who are C-TPAT 
certified.
    This notice announces modifications to the test's participation 
criteria to reflect that while importer self-filers must still hold a 
Tier 2 or higher C-TPAT status, the C-TPAT status of an importer for 
whom a customs broker files a Simplified Entry is no longer an 
eligibility criterion.
    In addition, the Simplified Entry test is no longer restricted to 
nine (9) participants and is open to all eligible applicants. CBP will 
endeavor to accept all new eligible applicants on a first come first 
serve basis; however, if the volume of eligible applicants exceeds 
CBP's administrative capabilities, CBP will reserve the right to select 
eligible participants in order to achieve a diverse participant pool in 
accordance with the selection standards set forth in 76 FR 69755.

Modification to Application Process

    Applications to participate in Simplified Entry must be sent via 
email to [email protected] within 14 business days of the 
date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Applicants 
will be notified whether their application is accepted. Prior 
applicants who were not accepted to participate in the test must re-
apply for consideration.
    All other procedures and criteria applicable to participation in 
Simplified Entry, as set forth in 76 FR 69755, remain in effect unless 
explicitly changed by this or subsequent notices published in the 
Federal Register.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The collections of information contained in this NCAP test have 
been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in 
accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3507) and assigned OMB number 1651-0024.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid 
control number assigned by OMB.

    Dated: August 9, 2012.
Allen Gina,
Assistant Commissioner, Office of International Trade.
[FR Doc. 2012-19931 Filed 8-13-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-14-P