The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is the system through which the international trade community reports imports and exports. This commercial trade processing system is designed to automate border-crossing processes and enhance border security as the U.S. government uses it to determine the admissibility of an import.
What Is the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)?
The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is the U.S. electronic Single Window platform for all trade processing, including all Manifest, Cargo Release, Post-release, Export, and Partner Government Agency (PGA) data. The international trade community uses ACE to report imports and exports and receive communication from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) about cargo clearance and admissibility.
How Do I Use the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)?
CBP facilitates the global exchange of safe and legitimate goods via access to ACE through two channels:
- The ACE Secure Data Portal (ACE Portal): a free, web-based access point designed to connect CBP, trade partners, and partner government agencies.
- ACE Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): a communication framework that provides standards for exchanging data via electronic means.
Each method provides different capabilities. ACE users should choose their access method based on the specific trade activity and its requirements. These activities include:
- Send Importer Security Filing data.
- File an Import Air, Ocean, or Rail Manifest.
- File an Import Truck Manifest.
- File an Electronic In-bond.
- File an Entry.
- File an Entry Summary.
- File an E214.
- File a Protest.
- File Liquidations, Reconciliations, or Drawback requests.
- Run Reports.
- Create Blanket Declarations.
- Submit Supporting Documents for Cargo Release (CBP and PGA Forms).
- Submit Supporting Documents for Entry Summary (CBP and PGA Forms).
- Respond to Request for Documents (e.g., CBP Forms 28, 29, 4647).
- Manage Account and Periodic Monthly Statement information.
- Manage Account and Daily Statement information.
- Make Post-summary Corrections.
- File Export Air, Ocean, and Rail Manifest.
- File & Export Commodity Data.
- Manage In-bond Authorizations.
Which Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Access Method Should I Use?
The best method to access ACE depends on the specific trade activity. Capabilities vary between electronic data interchange (EDI) and the ACE portal, so choosing the correct option is critical. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency provides an overview of ACE capabilities on its website.
What Is the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal?
The ACE Secure Data Portal (ACE Portal) is a free, web-based portal designed to provide real-time access to trade data. The portal connects U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), trade partners, and Partner Government Agencies (PGA) importing goods into the United States.
Features available in the ACE Portal include:
- ACE reports.
- ACE account management.
- Electronic communication with CBP and PGA.
To view ACE information and updates, trade partners and government entities must:
- Create a top-level ACE Portal account.
- Select appropriate sub-account types.
- Set up user profiles.
How Is Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Used for the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)?
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is used to file transactions in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). Importers, exporters, transportation providers, and brokers seeking to automate interactions with CBP must first contact a CBP Client Representative.
Once approved to transmit data to CBP, EDI can be used to:
- Send Importer Security Filing Data.
- File an Import Air, Ocean, or Rail Manifest.
- File an Import Truck Manifest.
- File an Electronic In-bond.
- File an Entry.
- File an Entry Summary.
- File an E214.
- File Liquidations, Reconciliations, or Drawback requests.
- Submit Supporting Documents for Cargo Release (CBP and PGA Forms).
- Submit Supporting Documents for Entry Summary (CBP and PGA Forms).
- Respond to Request for Documents (e.g., CBP Forms 28, 29, 4647).
- Manage Account and Periodic Monthly Statement information.
- Manage Account and Daily Statement information.
- Make Post-summary Corrections.
- File Export Air, Ocean, and Rail Manifest.
- File & Export Commodity Data.
Learn how MercuryGate simplifies customs and trade management
How MercuryGate TMS Supports U.S. Import Customs and Compliance
Navigating the complexity of compliance and trade regulations is necessary for any business importing goods into the U.S. Anyone using the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) plays a role in keeping the global supply chain moving. MercuryGate delivers expertise, automation, and documentation to unify global trade management across every mode, every shipment, and every move in your supply chain.
MercuryGate Customs & Trade Compliance software simplifies U.S. trade processes to ensure accuracy and efficiency for customs brokers and importers. Manage global shipping with key features such as:
- Customer and vendor entity management.
- Standard code reference and assignment.
- U.S. Customs filing templates.
- Outbound email sends.
- Product database.
- Open search.
MercuryGate Shipment and Order Visibility solutions provide a detailed view of multimodal freight at the vessel, container, order, and item level to help businesses stay on top of the moving parts in their supply chain. Expand visibility to reduce fragmentation and gain visibility into:
- Full shipment lifecycle across modes.
- Shipment information and updates.
- Transit duration and multimodal ETA.
- Vessel information and location.
- Risk of detention or delay.
- Inventory cycles for every item.
MercuryGate Global Sourcing and Compliance technology improves traceability and transparency to maintain product integrity. Validate goods from source to shelf with powerful technology that helps businesses:
- Streamline communication between stakeholders.
- Standardize processes to monitor and measure activities and statuses.
- Visualize, analyze, and view data via dashboards and reports.
- Automate monitoring, measurement, and validation of compliance for orders, items, and trading partners.
- Request RFIs and RFQs from suppliers across MercuryGate’s private sourcing network.
MercuryGate Streamlines International Trade Activity
Hear from subject matter experts in our webinar: Navigating Critical Aspects of Global Trade to Keep Freight Moving.
