[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59721-59723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25082]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2015-0063]


International Trade Data System Test Concerning the Electronic 
Submission to the Automated Commercial Environment of Data Using the 
Partner Government Agency Message Set

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in 
coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has 
developed a pilot plan to test and assess the International Trade Data 
System for the electronic submission of data required by APHIS Animal 
Care, Biotechnology and Regulatory Services, Plant Protection and 
Quarantine, and Veterinary Services for processing in the Automated 
Commercial Environment (ACE). The pilot test will use the APHIS Partner 
Government Agency (PGA) Message Set and the Automated Broker Interface 
to transmit, and ACE to process, trade data required for the 
importation of plants, animals, and their products regulated by APHIS. 
Under this test, PGA Message Set data may be filed only at certain 
ports.

DATES: The test will commence no earlier than October 2, 2015, and will 
continue until concluded by publication of a notice ending the test. 
Participants should consult the PGA Pilot Rollout Plan, available at 
http://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/list-aceitds-pga-message-set-pilot-ports, to determine which ports are operational and the date they 
become operational. Comments will be accepted through the duration of 
the test.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2015-0063.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2015-0063, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
     Email: Send your comment to Ms. Josephine Baiamonte, ACE 
Business Office, Office of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection, DHS, 1400 L Street, NW., 2nd floor, Washington, DC 20229-
1225 at [email protected]. In the subject line of the 
email, please indicate, ``Comment on PGA Message Set Test FRN.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions related to the 
Automated Commercial Environment or Automated Broker Interface 
transmissions, contact your assigned CBP client representative. 
Interested parties without an assigned client representative should 
direct their questions to Mr. Steven Zaccaro, U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection, DHS, 1400 L Street NW., 2nd floor, Washington, DC 20229-
1225; [email protected].
    For PGA-related questions, contact Ms. Emi Wallace, U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection, DHS, 1400 L Street NW., 2nd floor, Washington, 
DC 20229-1225; [email protected].
    For APHIS Program-related questions, contact Ms. Cindy Walters, 
APHIS Liaison for Automated Commercial Environment, International Trade 
Data System, Management and Program Analyst, Quarantine Policy and 
Analysis Staff, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 60, Riverdale, MD 
20720; 301-851-2273; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

I. The National Customs Automation Program

    The National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) was established in 
Subtitle B of Title VI--Customs Modernization, in the North American 
Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Pub. L. 103-182, 107 Stat. 
2057, 2170, December 8, 1993; see 19 U.S.C. 1411). Through NCAP, the 
initial thrust of customs modernization was on trade compliance and the 
development of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), the planned 
successor to the Automated Commercial System (ACS). ACE is an automated 
and electronic system for commercial trade processing intended to 
streamline business processes, facilitate growth in trade, ensure cargo 
security, and foster participation in global commerce, while ensuring 
compliance with U.S. laws and regulations and reducing costs for U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and all of its communities of 
interest. The ability to meet these objectives depends on successfully 
modernizing CBP's business functions and the information technology 
that supports those functions.
    CBP's modernization efforts are accomplished through phased 
releases of ACE component functionality designed to replace specific 
legacy ACS functions or test new automated

[[Page 59722]]

procedures. Each release will begin with a test and will end with 
mandatory use of the new ACE feature and, where applicable, the 
retirement of the corresponding legacy ACS function. Each release 
builds on previous releases and sets the foundation for subsequent 
releases.
    The Automated Broker Interface (ABI) allows participants to 
electronically file required import data with CBP and transfers that 
data into ACE.

International Trade Data System

    This test is in furtherance of the International Trade Data System 
(ITDS), which is authorized by section 405 of the Security and 
Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006 (SAFE Port Act, Pub. L. 109-
347). The purpose of ITDS, as defined by section 405 of the SAFE Port 
Act, is to eliminate redundant information filing requirements, 
efficiently regulate the flow of commerce, and effectively enforce laws 
and regulations relating to international trade, by establishing a 
single portal system, operated by CBP, for the collection and 
distribution of standard electronic import and export data required by 
all participating Federal agencies.

II. Partner Government Agency Message Set

    The Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set is the data needed 
to satisfy the PGA reporting requirements. For purposes of this test, 
the subject PGA is the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS). ACE enables the message set by acting as the ``single window'' 
for the submission of trade-related data required by the PGAs only once 
to CBP. This data must be submitted at any time prior to the arrival of 
the merchandise on the conveyance transporting the cargo to the United 
States as part of an ACE Entry/Cargo Release or Entry Summary. The data 
will be validated and made available to the relevant PGAs involved in 
import, export, and transportation-related decision making. The data 
will be used to fulfill merchandise entry and entry summary 
requirements. Also, by virtue of being electronic, the PGA Message Set 
will reduce the need for the submission and subsequent handling of 
paper documents. All PGA Message Set participants are required to use a 
software program that has completed ACE certification testing for the 
PGA Message Set.
    Test participants may use the Document Imaging System (DIS) to 
electronically transmit the following forms and documents required by 
APHIS:
     APHIS 2006, U. S. Veterinary Biological Product Permit;
     APHIS VS 17-29, Declaration of Importation;
     APHIS VS 17-32, Application for Inspection and Dipping;
     Producers and Manufacturers Statements (sometimes called 
STATs); and
     Validation documentation, including all documents required 
to determine entry suitability, such as bills, packing lists, invoices, 
ingredients lists, and proofs of origin, among others.
    For information regarding the use of DIS, and for updates to the 
list of PGA forms and documents which may be transmitted to ACE using 
DIS, please visit the DIS tab at: http://www.cbp.gov/trade/ace/features 
or the APHIS Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import-export/itds.
    Upon initiation of this test, CBP will accept electronically for 
ACE processing data filed by test participants at specified ports 
through the ABI. The data elements required for ACE processing are the 
same as those currently submitted in ACS or provided using paper APHIS 
forms. These data elements are set forth in the supplemental Customs 
and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR) guidelines for 
APHIS. These technical specifications, including the CATAIR chapters 
can be found online at http://www.cbp.gov/trade/ace/catair.
    CBP intends to expand ACE to cover all entry types and will publish 
a notice in the Federal Register announcing the expansion. In addition, 
CBP will make the announcement on its Web site and will reach out to 
entry filers via the Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS). Trade 
members may subscribe to CSMS to receive email notifications from CBP 
regarding important information. For information about subscribing to 
CSMS, please go to: http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/csms.asp?display_page=1.
    Once CBP announces that ACE is required for all import entry types, 
parties in this test will be required to file some or all APHIS forms 
for all entry types at test operational ports using either ACE, ABI, or 
DIS, as designated on the CBP Web site. APHIS will still collect some 
paper documentation, such as phytosanitary certificates, and health 
certificates for live animals and animal products, due to Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) requirements. Information about the ways in 
which data may be submitted is available on the CBP Web site at http://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/ace-cargo-release-business-transformation-process-document. The entry filing at the pilot project 
ports will continue until the pilot project is completed or when 
participation is ended.
    Participants should consult the CBP Web site to determine which 
ports are operational for the test and the date that they become 
operational: http://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/list-aceitds-pga-message-set-pilot-ports. Test participants and interested parties 
should continue to consult the CBP Web site for changes to the list of 
ports that are operational for this test.

III. The APHIS Test

    APHIS participation in this test will include selected forms and 
data required for admissibility determinations based on APHIS 
regulations. Under this test, APHIS required data will be transmitted 
electronically to ACE using the appropriate submission method. 
Information about this and other APHIS ITDS pilot projects can be found 
on the APHIS Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import-export/itds.
    This test will cover all modes of transport at the selected 
port(s), and all plants, animals, and plant and animal products when 
imported at one of the selected ports.
    The import filing process for APHIS will require the submission of 
specifically designated information. The core submission will include 
DIS and paper submission for certain items due to OMB requirements. The 
designated PGA Message Set will be used to collect specified 
information that is required by APHIS. The PGA Message Set data will be 
submitted to ACE system through the use of the ABI at the time of the 
entry filing in addition to the CBP required import Entry or Entry 
Summary data. Examples of the kind of data that will be submitted as 
part of the PGA Message set are: Importer name, port of arrival, 
country of origin, quantity, commodity name, scientific name, and 
permit numbers.
    We will accept applications starting October 2, 2015 and will 
continue to accept applications throughout the duration of the test. 
Any party seeking to participate in this test must provide to APHIS, in 
its request to participate, the name of its organization, its point of 
contact for the pilot, and contact information (phone number and email 
address). Submit your request to participate in this test by sending an 
email to [email protected]. In the subject line, please indicate, 
``Request to Participate in APHIS PGA Message Set Test.'' Participants 
must also contact their assigned CBP client representative to ensure 
readiness to participate in a

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pilot (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above for instructions for 
contacting CBP if you do not have an assigned client representative). 
CBP will notify the selected applicants by an email message of their 
selection and the starting date of their participation. Selected 
participants may have different starting dates. Anyone providing 
incomplete information, or otherwise not meeting participation 
requirements, will be notified by an email message and given the 
opportunity to resubmit their application.
    At this time, PGA Message Set data may be submitted only for 
entries filed at certain ports. A current listing of those ports may be 
found on the CBP Web site at http://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/list-aceitds-pga-message-set-pilot-ports.
    This test covers communication and coordination among the agencies 
and the filers of data through the PGA Message Set for the importation 
of plants, animals, and plant and animal products regulated by APHIS. 
Entry data submissions will be subject to validation edits and any 
applicable PGA business rules programmed into ACE. Once all of the PGAs 
have concluded their review of the shipment, issued a ``May Proceed,'' 
and have unset any remaining holds, CBP will send a single U.S. 
Government release message to the filer indicating that CBP has 
conditionally released the goods.

IV. Confidentiality

    All data submitted and entered into ACE is subject to the Trade 
Secrets Act (18 U.S.C. 1905) and is considered confidential, except to 
the extent as otherwise provided by law. Participation in this test is 
not confidential and upon a written Freedom of Information Act request, 
the name(s) of an approved participant(s) will be disclosed by CBP in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 28th day of September 2015.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-25082 Filed 10-1-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P