ESAR A1Account: Service Provider

  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, including Service Providers. Service Provider accounts will include service bureaus/service centers, software providers, port authorities, third party manifest preparers, and surety agents.

  1. Functionality

A Service Provider Portal Account can view and update their account information using the Portal. Account data viewable via the Portal includes company information includingphysical address, mailing address, and points of contact.

  1. Benefits to Service Providers

By establishing aportal account, a Service Provider will be able to view any information that is maintained in theiraccount. They will also have access to a Business Activity Log (BAL)enabling the Service Provider to communicate with or respond to CBP on any operational issues. The BAL may also be used to attach scanned or electronic information to the account, as deemed appropriate by CBP or the trade account owner.

All portal accounts will be able to access important information regarding any ACE updates via their“News” view. Additional beneficial features for a Service Provider with a portal account includes: 1) the ability to track who made changes in account information, and 2) 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 Service Provider desiring to become an ACE portal account will be required to complete the ACE Application. As part of this process, each Service Provider also needs to provide a filer code and/or Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC), as applicable. 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 Service Provider will subsequently be 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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