Washington — U.S. Customs and Border Protection today announced plans to conduct a Simplified Entry Pilot as part of the Simplified Processes trade initiative. The air cargo pilot, scheduled to begin at the end of December, will be open to the trade community.

“The Simplified Entry pilot expedites cargo release into the stream of commerce,” said CBP Commissioner Alan D. Bersin. “The trade industry and CBP will both realize significant efficiencies while enhancing security with more accurate information provided earlier in the import process.”

The Simplified Entry Pilot was created in coordination with representatives from the National Retail Federation, National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, American Association of Exporters and Importers, Intelligent Transportation Society of America, and Business Alliance for Customs Modernization to streamline the entry process. During the pilot, the filer will enter a Simplified Entry consisting of 13 data elements and 3 optional data elements, instead of the 27 currently required.

CBP encourages importers and brokers to participate in the pilot. Participants must have an ACE Portal Account and hold a Tier 2 status or higher in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism. To be considered for the pilot, applicants can submit an email to cbpsimplifiedprocess@dhs.gov with the subject line “Simplified Entry Participant Request” within five days of the federal register notice publication.

CBP is planning similar pilots in the ocean and rail environments in early to mid-2012.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

For more information, contact: Jenny Burke CBP Public Affairs Phone: (202) 344-1313