[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 93 (Monday, May 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41451-41453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-10354]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection


Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Export Manifest for Rail 
Cargo Test: Renewal 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 
(CBP) is renewing the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Export 
Manifest for Rail Cargo Test, a National Customs Automation Program 
(NCAP) test concerning ACE export manifest capability.

DATES: The voluntary pilot initially began on September 9, 2015, and it 
was modified and extended on August 14,

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2017, and was further extended on April 27, 2022. This renewal is 
effective May 13, 2024. The renewed test will run for an additional two 
years from the date of publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register.

ADDRESSES: Applications for new participants in the ACE Export Manifest 
for Rail 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 Rail 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 Rail Cargo Test''. Comments 
may be submitted at any time during the test period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas J. Pagano, 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, 202-325-3277.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Export Manifest for Rail 
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 two hours prior to loading of the cargo onto 
the rail car, in preparation for departure from the United States or, 
for empty rail cars, upon assembly of the train. The ACE Export 
Manifest for Rail 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 Rail Cargo Test examines the 
functionality of filing export manifest data for rail cargo 
electronically in ACE. ACE 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 Rail Cargo Test also assesses the 
feasibility of requiring the manifest information to be filed 
electronically in ACE within a specified time before the cargo is 
loaded on the train. This capability will enhance CBP's ability to 
calculate the risk and effectively identify and inspect shipments prior 
to the loading of cargo in order to facilitate compliance with U.S. 
export laws.
    CBP announced the procedures and criteria related to participation 
in the ACE Export Manifest for Rail Cargo Test in a notice published in 
the Federal Register on September 9, 2015 (80 FR 54305). This test was 
originally scheduled to run for approximately two years. On August 14, 
2017, CBP extended the test period (82 FR 37893). At that time, CBP 
also modified the original notice to make certain data elements 
optional and opened the test to accept additional applications from all 
parties who met the eligibility requirements. CBP further renewed the 
test for an additional two years on April 27, 2022 (87 FR 25036). 
Through this notice, CBP is renewing the test again.
    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) Mode of Transportation (containerized rail cargo or 
noncontainerized rail cargo) (optional)
(2) Port of Departure from the United States
(3) Date of Departure
(4) Manifest Number
(5) Train Number
(6) Rail Car Order
(7) Car Locator Message
(8) Hazmat Indicator (Yes/No)
(9) 6-character Hazmat Code (conditional) (If the hazmat indicator is 
yes, then UN (for United Nations Number) or NA (North American Number) 
and the corresponding 4-digit identification number assigned to the 
hazardous material must be provided.)
(10) Marks and Numbers (conditional)
(11) SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code) for exporting carrier
(12) Shipper name and address (For empty rail cars, the shipper may be 
the railroad from which the rail carrier received the empty rail car to 
transport.)
(13) Consignee name and address (For empty rail cars, the consignee may 
be the railroad to which the rail carrier is transporting the empty 
rail car.)
(14) Place where the rail carrier takes possession of the cargo 
shipment or empty rail car (optional)
(15) Port of Unlading
(16) Country of Ultimate Destination (optional)
(17) Equipment Type Code (optional)
(18) Container Number(s) (for containerized shipments) or Rail Car 
Number(s) (for all other shipments)
(19) Empty Indicator (Yes/No)

    If the empty indicator is no, then the following data elements must 
also be provided, unless otherwise noted:

(20) Bill of Lading Numbers (Master and House)
(21) Bill of Lading Type (Master, House, Simple or Sub)
(22) Number of house bills of lading (optional)
(23) Notify Party name and address (conditional)
(24) AES Internal Transaction Number or AES Exemption Statement (per 
shipment)
(25) Cargo Description
(26) Weight of Cargo (may be expressed in either pounds or kilograms)
(27) Quantity of Cargo and Unit of Measure
(28) Seal Number (only required if the container was sealed)
(29) Split Shipment Indicator (Yes/No) (optional)
(30) Portion of split shipment (e.g., 1 of 10, 4 of 10, 5 of 10, Final, 
etc.) (optional)
(31) In-bond Number (conditional)
(32) Mexican Pedimento Number (only for shipments for export to Mexico) 
(optional)

    For further details on the background and procedures regarding this 
test, please refer to the September 9, 2015 notice and August 14, 2017 
extension and modification.

II. Renewal of the ACE Export Manifest for Rail Cargo Test Period

    CBP will renew the test for two years to continue evaluating the 
ACE Export Manifest for Rail Cargo Test. This will assist CBP in 
determining whether electronic submission of manifests will allow for 
improvements in the functionality and capabilities at the departure 
level. The renewed test will run for two years from the date of 
publication.

III. Applicability of Initial Test Notice

    All provisions in the September 2015 notice and in the August 2017 
modification and extension remain

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applicable, subject to the further extension of the time period 
provided in this renewal.

IV. Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 
104-13, 44 U.S.C. 3507), an agency may not conduct, and a person is not 
required to respond to, a collection of information unless the 
collection of information displays a valid control number assigned by 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The collections of 
information in this NCAP test have been approved by OMB in accordance 
with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act and assigned OMB 
control number 1651-0001.

    Dated: May 6, 2024.
Diane J. Sabatino,
Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
[FR Doc. 2024-10354 Filed 5-10-24; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9111-14-P