U.S. CUSTOMS TO TEST PAPER IMPORT CLEARANCE PROCESS

   U.S. Customs announced that it will test its ability to handle paper
import entries if its computer system should shut down.
   Since last year, the 15-year-old Automated Commercial System has
threatened to shut down. Customs wants to replace ACS with a new umbrella system, the Automated Commercial Environment.
   Customs will conduct the paper tests for 24 hours in two undisclosed
ports this June. The agency says the industry and ports where the test will
occur are aware of the planned simulations.
   The test will check Customs’ ability to clear and examine imports, and
to receive entry summaries and collect duties based on paper import
documents.
   "Participating in this test will provide the trade community with the
opportunity to examine their own procedures to determine whether they are
prepared to operated in the event that the ACS is not available," Customs
said.
   Because any downtime of ACS would be too disruptive, Customs said ACS will remain fully operation during the tests.
   In February, Customs planned a similar test for the Port of Houston, but
the experiment was scrapped after companies complained.