ESAR A1Account: Facility Operator

  1. Description

With the implementation of Entry Summary, Accounts, and Revenue (ESAR) A1, there will be an expansion in the number of ACE Secure Data Portal account types. This expansion includes Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility operators, i.e. bonded warehouses, container freight stations, and centralized examination stations. This includes all operations covered by 19 CFR sections 19 and 118, and as provided for in 19 CFR 113.63 with regard to the requirement for coverage by a continuous Type 2 Custodial Bond.

  1. Functionality

A facility operator with a portal account can view and update their account information at the facility operator level and at the facility level. At the facility operator level, companyname, taxpayer ID type, physical address, mailing address, and points of contactareviewable. The facility operator will also be able to communicate with CBP using the Portal thus minimizing administrative overhead with regard to resolving regulatory, compliance, and operational issues.

For each facility operated by the facility operator, more detailed information can bemaintained and viewed on each facility using the Portal. Information on type of facility, liability insurance, bond information, contact information, addresses, relevant documents, employees and management officials can be included and updated as appropriate.

  1. Benefits to Facility Operators

By establishing aportal account, afacility operator will be able to view any information that is maintained in the account,including bond information. This includes the ability to update the list of its officers,members, or employees, as provided for in 19 CFR sections 19 and 118. In addition to providing company information, the Trade Account Owner will be able to include relevant documentation, e.g. facility blueprints, proof of fire insurance, record keeping and inventory control documents, etc, on each warehouse facility.

Facility operator portal accounts will also have access to a Business Activity Log (BAL)enabling them to communicate with or respond to CBP on compliance and operational issues. The BAL may also be used to attachadditional scanned or electronic information to the account, as deemed appropriate by CBP or the trade account owner. A facility operator will also be able to view their bond information to determine if any updates are necessary.

All portal accounts will be able to access important information regarding any ACE updates via their“News” view. Additional beneficial features for afacility operatorportal account include: 1) the ability to track who made changes in account information, 2) access to port code and country code reference data, and 3) the ability to establish quick links with frequently used web-sites without having to exitthe account view.

  1. How Do I Become an Account?

The revised ACE Application and instructions will be posted on CBP.gov in the ACE: Modernization Information Systems section in the near future. A bondedfacility operator desiring to become an ACE portal account will be required to complete the ACE Application. As part of this process, each facility operatoralso needs to provide an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) and a Facilities Information and Resources Management System (FIRMS) code. Any additional eligibility requirements will be set forth in the Federal Register Notice that will be published by CBP announcing the A1 functionality.

Once the request to become a portal account is received and approved by CBP, the portal account will be created in ACE. The facility operator will be subsequently contacted with information on how to access and update the account information.

  1. Additional Information

As of July 31, 2007, interested trade members are able to take an introductory Web-Based Training (WBT) Course on ESAR A1 functionality. The course, “Enhanced ACE Accounts and Master Data,” is highly recommended for anyone interested in understanding the new functionality.

The link to the training is posted on CBP.gov/ACE: ModernizationInformation Systems or you can access it directly through the Internet byenteringURL: https://nemo.customs.gov/ace_online. The user nameis user01 and the password is 1Password.Please note that both the user name and password are case sensitive.

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