U.S. INDUSTRY WANTS CUSTOMS TO CLEARLY DEFINE ACS MAINTENANCE

   Industry officials say they want a clear definition of maintenance for
U.S. Customs’ Automated Commercial System.
   Customs says it will continue keeping the 15-year-old system running
while it works toward developing its future Automated Commercial
Environment. Enhancements in the old system beyond routine maintenance have been shelved by the agency.
   "We bring a lot of cargo into the country," said Adi Abel, manager of
global customs and regulatory EDI processes for Sea-Land Service, at an industry meeting in Portland, Ore. "ACS better continue to work."
   Carriers are especially concerned about needed adjustments to continue to operate efficiently in the Automated Manifest System module of ACS.
   But Customs says it must concentrate its efforts on developing ACE. "I think the trade wants us to focus our time and money on a system that won’t be obsolete in the future," said Joseph Rees, trade ombudsman for Customs.