[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 137 (Monday, July 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 46640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16932]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 137 / Monday, July 18, 2016 / 
Notices  

[[Page 46640]]



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), is advising 
the public that a pilot plan to test and assess the International Trade 
Data System for the electronic submission of data required by APHIS 
Animal Care, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, Plant Protection and 
Quarantine, and Veterinary Services for processing in the Automated 
Commercial Environment has proven successful and will end on August 15, 
2016. After this date, all submissions of APHIS-required data must be 
submitted in accordance with the procedures on the CBP Web site.

DATES: The test will end August 15, 2016.

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: 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 procedures. The Automated 
Broker Interface (ABI) allows participants to electronically file 
required import data with CBP and transfers that data into ACE.
    On October 2, 2015, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) published a notice in the Federal Register (80 FR 59721, Docket 
No. APHIS-2015-0063) \1\ announcing a pilot test in furtherance of the 
International Trade Data System (ITDS). The purpose of ITDS 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. As part of this test, APHIS-required 
data was transmitted electronically to operational ports using either 
ACE, ABI, or the Document Image System.\2\
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    \1\ To view the notice, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2015-0063.
    \2\ CBP announced changes to the Document Image System test in a 
notice published in the Federal Register on October 15, 2015 (80 FR 
62082, Docket No. USCP-2015-0046). To view this notice, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=USCBP-2015-0046.
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    APHIS is announcing that the APHIS core pilot has proven successful 
and, as a result, will end August 15, 2016. After this date, entry 
filers will be required to file electronic entries in ACE with APHIS 
data and some or all APHIS forms using the method designated on the CBP 
Web site for the submission of the APHIS data and forms. APHIS will 
still collect some paper documentation, such as phytosanitary 
certificates and health certificates for live animals and animal 
products, due to an Office of Management and Budget waiver. Information 
regarding methods of submission is available on the CBP Web site at 
https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2016-Mar/PGA%20Forms%20Document%20March%2030%202016.pdf.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 13th day of July 2016.
Jere L. Dick,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-16932 Filed 7-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P