Automated Commercial Environment
The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is a processing system for commercial trade implemented by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The system is designed to automate and speed up import/export border processing by providing CBP and its Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) with additional tools to approve or deny shipments, monitor trade, and enhance security.
While the ACE system supports CBP’s effectiveness, it also serves a crucial role in the trade community. This is the system through which shippers and others report their imports and exports. The ACE Secure Data Portal provides a single place for the trade community to file crucial freight-related documents, including customs declarations, permit applications, invoices, certificates of origin, and more.
ACE account holders can also use the portal to monitor daily operations, set up payment options with CBP, and access the ACE reports tool. By switching to a single digital portal, paperwork errors can be reduced, along with paper usage and operating costs.
The benefits for members of the trade community who use ACE accounts include:
- Receiving, responding to, and managing a variety of CBP forms online
- Customizing payment schedules
- Accessing Importer Security Filing (ISF) information and additional progress reports
- Ability to gather transactional data and identify compliance issues in real-time