[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 4 (Thursday, January 7, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 1116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-00006]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection


Delayed Deployment Date for Modification of Test Program 
Regarding Electronic Foreign Trade Zone Admission Applications for 
Expanded Zone Identification Numbers

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

ACTION: General notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the deployment date for the 
expanded zone identification number modifications to the electronic 
Foreign Trade Zone admission applications test is delayed until April 
25, 2021. On September 25, 2020, U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
published a notice in the Federal Register announcing modifications to 
the electronic FTZ admission applications test including, inter alia, 
the expansion of the zone identification number from seven to nine 
digits. These zone identification number changes were to have been 
implemented on January 25, 2021, and this notice announces that the 
deployment date in the Automated Commercial Environment is delayed 
until April 25, 2021.

DATES: The expanded zone identification number will be implemented as 
of April 25, 2021. This test will continue until concluded by way of 
announcement in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice and any aspect of this test 
may be submitted at any time during the test via email to Cargo & 
Conveyance Security, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection, at [email protected], with a subject line 
identifier reading ``Comment on Electronic FTZ Admission Application 
FRN.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For operational questions, contact 
Lydia Jackson, Cargo & Conveyance Security, Office of Field Operations, 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, at 202-344-3055 or 
[email protected]. For technical questions, contact Arnold 
Buratty, Cargo Systems Program Directorate, Office of Information and 
Technology, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, at 571-468-5309 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On September 25, 2020, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 
published a notice entitled ``Modification of Test Program Regarding 
Electronic Foreign Trade Zone Admission Applications'' in the Federal 
Register (85 FR 60479). The test is part of the National Customs 
Automation Program (NCAP), which was established by Subtitle B of Title 
VI--Customs Modernization in the North American Free Trade Agreement 
(NAFTA) Implementation Act (Customs Modernization Act) (Pub. L. 103-
182, 107 Stat. 2057, 2170, December 8, 1993) (19 U.S.C. 1411). The 
notice announced modifications to the electronic Foreign Trade Zone 
(FTZ) admission applications test including, inter alia, the expansion 
of the zone identification (ID) number from seven to nine digits. The 
deployment date in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) for the 
modifications regarding the expanded zone ID number was to have been 
January 25, 2021.
    Subsequent to publishing the September 25, 2020, notice in the 
Federal Register, CBP published the relevant updates in the ACE FTZ 
chapter of the CBP and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR), 
available at: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/ace/catair. CBP has assessed 
stakeholder readiness and determined that a delayed deployment date in 
ACE for the modifications regarding the expanded zone ID number is in 
the best interests of all parties involved. Delaying the deployment 
date will allow for the required programming modifications on the part 
of trade participants (specifically by allowing additional time to code 
and test) and will also provide CBP with more time to coordinate with 
local zone operators (who will be receiving new zone ID numbers). 
Accordingly, the deployment date in ACE for the modifications of the 
electronic FTZ admission application test regarding the expanded zone 
ID number is April 25, 2021.

    Dated: December 31, 2020.
William A. Ferrara,
Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations.
[FR Doc. 2021-00006 Filed 1-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-14-P