[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 4, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47974-47975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12166]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection


Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Export Manifest for Air 
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 CBP is renewing U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection's (CBP's) 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 August 10, 2015, was 
modified and extended on August 14, 2017, and was further extended on 
December 22, 2021. This renewal is effective June 4, 2024. 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 
use ``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 
use ``Comment on ACE Export Manifest for Air 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, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, via 
email at [email protected].

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 regarding the filing of 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 
loading of cargo to ensure compliance 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 set 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, making certain of the 
data elements optional, and opened the test to accept additional 
applications for participation from 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 ``conditional'' must be provided to 
CBP only if the particular information pertains to the cargo. Data 
elements which are ``optional'' may be provided to CBP but are not 
required. 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)

[[Page 47975]]

(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 and 
modifications regarding the 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 renew the test for another two years to continue further 
evaluation of the ACE Export Manifest for Air Cargo Test to determine 
whether electronic submission of the manifest will allow for 
improvements in capabilities at the departure level. The extended test 
will now run for two additional years from the date of publication.

III. Applicability of Initial Test Notice

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

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.

Diane J. Sabatino,
Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
[FR Doc. 2024-12166 Filed 6-3-24; 8:45 am]
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