The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) is rolling out a new information service called “ACE-lerate” to help companies involved in cross border transportation transition to the new Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) trade processing system developed by U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Powered by CrimsonLogic, ACE-lerate is specifically touted to help carriers and shippers deal with the E-Manifest port ion ACE, an automated electronic cargo manifest that carriers will be required to submit to CBP prior to their arrival at the border.
“ACE-lerate allows carriers to store data on their company, loads, customers, equipment and personnel so they can navigate the ACE system more efficiently,” said Bill Pugh, NMFTA executive director. “It’ll help us offer a more cost effective and advanced ACE interface system.”
He noted the new service is offered in three different versions:
• Web offers a web-based interface allowing the user to easily store information as well as create shipment and trip templates saving valuable time on future transactions.
• ACE Fax allows users to fax their manifest information to the service center where their data will be reentered into an e-Manifest and sent to CBP.
• ACE Integration provides the software to integrate with a user's in-house dispatch program, for sending and receiving ACE data.
Push added that ACE is currently being implemented in clusters and will soon become mandatory for carriers at all border crossings into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. Currently ACE is required in the states of Washington, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, California, and at select North Dakota ports, with other ports of entry to be phased in later this year.
ACE is a critical part of the U.S. effort to speed up trade with Mexico, its second-largest trading partner, according to foreign trade statistics compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau. ACE is also part of the joint security efforts between the three NAFTA trading nations –the U.S., Canada, and Mexico – fitting into the trilateral Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) launched in 2005 that seeks to enhance security while facilitating cross-border movement, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
