The southern border had its first electronic manifest (e-Manifest) for trucks filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently in Nogales, Ariz. and processing can begin even before the truck arrives at the gate, minimizing wait times at the border and resulting in faster delivery times and increased profits.

    The ACE e-Manifest enables truck carriers to submit electronic manifests to CBP prior to a truck’s arrival at a United States land border crossing. The automated manifest provides CBP officers with cargo information prior to a shipment arriving at the gate. Comprehensive data such as information on the driver and passengers; a description of the conveyance and any applicable equipment like a trailer; and details regarding the shipment are included.

    “This is an important milestone for adoption of the e-Manifest capability, which is already enhancing security and expediting trade along the northern border,” said CBP Modernization Office Executive Director Louis Samenfink. “With ACE e-Manifest submissions now bridging north and south, we are on target to eventually mandate use of the e-Manifest feature. The faster carriers adopt e-Manifests, the faster the border crossing process speeds up for everyone.”

Time saving system

    The new ACE e-Manifest for trucks was introduced as part of the Automated Commercial Environment, the next generation of technology designed to enhance national border security and expedite lawful trade. ACE e-manifest for trucks is a powerful, time saving tool. Truck carriers can submit an e-Manifest through the web-based ACE Secure Data Portal or via CBP approved Electronic Data Interchange procedures. The portal is essentially a computer screen similar to a Web site home page that connects CBP and the trade community by providing a single, integrated, on-line access point for communications and information. With a one-screen system, filing is easy and for unchanging daily shipments, data can be stored and reused requiring less data entry time for truck carriers.

How it works

    When a truck approaches the primary booth, transponder technology similar to that of a toll-paying device may be used to signal the truck’s arrival. The e-Manifest is automatically retrieved along with the matching pre-filed entries, in-bond requests and other release declarations for the CBP officer to view and process. In addition, by establishing and using an ACE portal account, carriers can track the status of their trips and generate a wide variety of reports. This enables carriers to identify trends to plan future courses of action and achieve better results for their company.

    The e-Manifest capability is available at ACE ports and eventually will be coming to all ports. Nearly 40 companies are certified to submit e-Manifests through EDI, and numerous companies are using the ACE Secure Data Portal for submission.  More than 1,000 e-Manifests have been filed to date, most along the northern border.

    There are currently 31 ACE ports in the states of Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota and Washington. The schedule for deployments of ACE to additional ports continues with selected ports in Texas in early 2006.  CBP encourages truck carriers to establish ACE truck carrier accounts now to ensure smooth border operations when electronic manifests are eventually mandated at all ports.  Carriers may also contact a broker or service provider to discuss how e-Manifests can be filed.

Establishing an account

    Step one: Apply by sending an e-mail to the following address: ACENow@dhs.gov.  You will then be prompted for additional information.

    Step two: Upon confirmation from CBP, sign and return the Power of Attorney (POA), the Terms and Conditions (T&C), and the Instructions for New Accounts to the following address: ACE Secure Data Portal – ACE Application, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Attn: Beauregard Building, Room A-314-3, 7681 Boston Blvd., Springfield, VA 22153.

    Step three: The specified point of contact will receive an automatically generated e-mail containing a link to a temporary password.  An assigned CBP account manager will provide a shared secret, which is necessary for portal access.

    Step four: Log on to the ACE Secure Data Portal using your temporary password and shared secret, answer the five challenge questions, and create a new password.  After entering specific company information along with a point of contact, the ACE Secure Data Portal is ready for use.

Mexicali SENTRI

    U.S. and Mexican government officials announced that the new SENTRI/Dedicated Commuter Lane (DCL) at the downtown Calexico/Mexicali port of entry has opened. The new trusted traveler lane provides an expedited inspection for low risk frequent border crossers that have passed a background check and inspection.

    “SENTRI lanes use advanced technology to promote our goal of an efficient and secure flow of people between our two nations,” said U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza.

    U.S. and Mexican officials worked to implement infrastructure improvements on the Mexican side of the border, including installation of a SENTRI access lane and two pedestrian ramps for use by persons with disabilities, as part of bilateral border security projects supported by U.S. Foreign Assistance Act funds.

    There are more than 1,000 applicants currently enrolled in the DCL program in Calexico/Mexicali. It is anticipated that new users will apply for SENTRI/DCL status now that the Calexico/Mexicali lane is open. Potential users are encouraged to schedule DCL enrollment appointments as soon as possible. Interested individuals can call (619) 690-7600 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday to schedule an appointment.

    The Calexico/Mexicali SENTRI/DCL lane will initially be open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Future modifications in operating hours are possible depending on lane usage and traffic volumes.

    SENTRI enrollees can use existing SENTRI lanes at participating ports of entry on the Southwest border.

    The trusted traveler program is a component of the Security and Prosperity Partnership between the U.S. and Mexico and the addition of a new SENTRI lane will help meet the principal of facilitating low risk travelers.