[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 22, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72610-72611]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27653]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection


Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Export Manifest for Air 
Cargo Test: Extension of Test

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

ACTION: General notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that U.S. Customs and Border Protection

[[Page 72611]]

(CBP) is extending its Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Export 
Manifest for Air Cargo Test, a National Customs Automation Program 
(NCAP) test concerning ACE export manifest capability.

DATES: The voluntary pilot initially began on July 10, 2015, and it was 
modified and extended on August 14, 2017. The extended test will run 
for an additional two years from the date of publication of this notice 
in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Applications to participate in the ACE Export Manifest for 
Air Cargo Test must be submitted via email to CBP Export Manifest at 
[email protected]. In the subject line of the email, please 
write ``ACE Export Manifest for Air Cargo Test Application''. 
Applications will be accepted at any time during the test period. 
Written comments concerning program, policy, and technical issues may 
also be submitted via email to CBP Export Manifest at 
[email protected]. In the subject line of the email, please 
write ``Comment on ACE Export Manifest for Air Cargo Test''. Comments 
may be submitted at any time during the test period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Semeraro, Branch Chief, or David 
Garcia, Program Manager, Outbound Enforcement and Policy Branch, Office 
of Field Operations, CBP, via email at [email protected], 
or by telephone, 202-325-4221.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Export Manifest for Air 
Cargo Test is a voluntary test in which participants agree to submit 
export manifest data to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 
electronically at least four hours prior to loading of the cargo onto 
the aircraft in preparation for departure from the United States. The 
ACE Export Manifest for Air Cargo Test 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 National Customs 
Automation Program (NCAP) programs or procedures.
    The ACE Export Manifest for Air Cargo Test examines the 
functionality of filing export manifest data for air cargo 
electronically in ACE. The ACE system creates a single automated export 
processing platform for certain export manifest, commodity, licensing, 
export control, and export targeting transactions. This will reduce 
costs for CBP, partner government agencies, and the trade community, as 
well as improve facilitation of export shipments through the supply 
chain.
    The ACE Export Manifest for Air Cargo Test will also assess the 
feasibility of requiring the manifest information to be filed 
electronically in ACE within a specified time before the cargo is 
loaded on the aircraft. This capability will enable CBP to calculate 
the risk and effectively identify and inspect shipments prior to the 
loading of cargo in order to comply with all U.S. export laws.
    CBP announced the procedures and criteria related to participation 
in the ACE Export Manifest for Air Cargo Test in a notice published in 
the Federal Register on July 10, 2015 (80 FR 39790). This test was 
originally scheduled to run for approximately two years. On August 14, 
2017, CBP extended the test period for one additional year (82 FR 
37888). At that time, CBP also modified the original notice to make 
certain data elements optional and opened the test to accept additional 
applications for all parties who met the eligibility requirements.
    The data elements, unless noted otherwise, are mandatory. Data 
elements which are mandatory must be provided to CBP for every 
shipment. Data elements which are marked ``conditional'' must be 
provided to CBP only if the particular information pertains to the 
cargo. Data elements which are marked ``optional'' may be provided to 
CBP but are not required to be completed. The data elements are set 
forth below:

(1) Exporting Carrier
(2) Marks of nationality and registration
(3) Flight number
(4) Port of lading
(5) Port of unlading
(6) Scheduled date of departure
(7) Consolidator (conditional)
(8) De-consolidator (conditional)
(9) Air waybill type (Master, House, Simple or Sub)
(10) Air waybill number
(11) Number of pieces and unit of measure (optional)
(12) Weight (kg./lb.)
(13) Number of house air waybills (optional)
(14) Shipper name and address
(15) Consignee name and address
(16) Cargo description
(17) AES Internal Transaction Number (ITN) or AES Exemption Statement/
Exception Classification (per shipment)
(18) Split air waybill indicator (optional)
(19) Hazmat indicator (Yes/No)
(20) UN Number (conditional) (If the hazmat indicator is yes, the four 
digit UN (United Nations) Number assigned to the hazardous material 
must be provided.)
(21) In-bond number (optional)
(22) Mode of transportation (containerized air cargo or 
noncontainerized air cargo) (optional).

    For further details on the background and procedures regarding this 
test, please refer to the July 10, 2015 notice and August 14, 2017 
extension and modification.

II. Extension of the ACE Export Manifest for Air Cargo Test Period

    CBP will extend the test for another two years to continue 
evaluating the ACE Export Manifest for Air Cargo Test. This will assist 
CBP in determining whether electronic submission of manifests will 
allow for improvements in capabilities at the departure level. The 
extended test will run for two additional years from the date of 
publication.

III. Applicability of Initial Test Notice

    All provisions in the July 2015 notice and the modifications in the 
August 2017 extension remain applicable, subject to the time period 
extension provided herein.

    Dated: December 10, 2021.
William Ferrara,
Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection.
[FR Doc. 2021-27653 Filed 12-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-14-P