NCBFAA Schedules ACE/Modernization

Washington, DC: The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc., (NCBFAA) is holding another Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)/Modernization Retreat on January 26 - 27 at the Torrance Marriott in Torrance, CA. These ACE retreats provide those attending an opportunity to review and evaluate the Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Trade Support Network's (TSN) developmental work to date on customs modernization. Space is limited and registration will be accepted on a first come basis. 
        "Customs modernization and ACE design represents a tidal force in our business environment," according to NCBFAA Customs Committee Chairman Ken Bargteil, Vice President, Kuehne & Nagel, Inc. "We cannot afford to wait for it to break upon us unprepared."
        The first day of this two-day event will begin with presentations by U.S. Customs, the eCP, Census and NCBFAA representatives to the Trade Support Network. Registration for this portion of the retreat will be available to all. During the closed afternoon session, NCBFAA and Affiliated Association regular members will identify ACE and Modernization issues of importance to entry filers. 
        The second day, also restricted to NCBFAA and Affiliated Association regular members will include break out sessions in which each group will attempt to reach consensus positions on the list of issues assigned to it. The goal of these work groups is to identify major points of contention and develop the principal arguments on each side. With this information in hand, the NCBFAA representatives on the TSN can be confident that their contributions reflect more accurately the position of the NCBFAA membership at large.
        "ACE/Modernization may bring the most significant changes to the way we do our jobs of any development in the last quarter century," said Bargteil. 
The TSN is writing systems requirements for ACE and the first set of these has been implemented with Releases 3 and 4 to follow soon. The TSN continues to write and publish its requirements to the Customs web site, providing the groundwork for the e-Customs Partnership (eCP), under the direction of the Customs Modernization Team, to design the balance of ACE releases. 
        The NCBFAA is represented on most of the TSN committees with several individuals involved in the most critical areas. Given its ongoing obligation to inform the members as fully as possible about such important, the Association offers these two-day meetings to tell participants about the work of the TSN, develop the issues of importance to NCBFAA members, debate those issues, and, where possible, reach consensus on NCBFAA positions. 
        Cost to attend will be $306 (cash $275) for regular members of NCBFAA, $361 (cash $325) for regular members of Affiliated Associations, $339 (cash $305) for all others for the first day's session only. Registration includes a $33 (cash $30) materials fee and Monday lunch. 
        Those wishing to register for this event may do so at the NCBFAA Website, members.ncbfaa.org, by e-mail to ei@ncbfaa.org; by fax at 202-466-0226; or by phone at 202-466-0222.
        With headquarters in Washington, DC, the NCBFAA (members.ncbfaa.org) represents nearly 700 member companies - the nation's leading freight forwarders, customs brokers, ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs) and air cargo agents. Established in 1897 in New York, NCBFAA is the strong, effective national voice of the industry. Through its various committees, counsel and representatives, the Association maintains a close watch over legislative and regulatory issues that affect its members. It keeps them informed of these and other related issues through its weekly Monday Morning eBriefing, Quarterly NCBFAA Bulletin, and various meetings and conferences throughout the year.