81_FR_35841 81 FR 35734 - International Trade Data System Test Concerning the Electronic Submission of Certain Data Required for Exports

81 FR 35734 - International Trade Data System Test Concerning the Electronic Submission of Certain Data Required for Exports

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 107 (June 3, 2016)

Page Range35734-35736
FR Document2016-13125

NMFS announces, in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a test of the International Trade Data System (ITDS) involving the electronic submission of forms and/or data, related to exportation of fish products regulated by NMFS, using the export Partner Government Agency (PGA) data set of the Automated Export System (AES) Trade Interface Requirements, AES Direct via the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Web Portal (Portal) and the Document Image System (DIS). CBP and NMFS have developed a plan to test and assess the electronic transmission of export and re-export data for tunas, swordfish and toothfish. The test will involve using the above referenced methods to transmit the data required for processing exports or re-exports of tunas, swordfish and toothfish. Under this test, data may be submitted for the covered fish products exported from any operational port.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 107 (Friday, June 3, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 107 (Friday, June 3, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35734-35736]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13125]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE607


International Trade Data System Test Concerning the Electronic 
Submission of Certain Data Required for Exports

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS announces, in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP), a test of the International Trade Data System (ITDS) 
involving the electronic submission of forms and/or data, related to 
exportation of fish products regulated by NMFS, using the export 
Partner Government Agency (PGA) data set of the Automated Export System 
(AES) Trade Interface Requirements, AES Direct via the Automated 
Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Web Portal (Portal) and the 
Document Image System (DIS). CBP and NMFS have developed a plan to test 
and assess the electronic transmission of export and re-export data for 
tunas, swordfish and toothfish.
    The test will involve using the above referenced methods to 
transmit the data required for processing exports or re-exports of 
tunas, swordfish and toothfish. Under this test, data may be submitted 
for the covered fish products exported from any operational port.

DATES: The test will commence after June 1, 2016, and will continue 
until concluded by publication of a notice in the Federal Register 
ending the test. Participants should consult the following Web site to 
determine which ports are operational for the test and the date that 
they become operational: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/ace/features (see 
the PGA Integration tab). Comments on the submission and processing of 
export data will be accepted throughout the duration of the test.

ADDRESSES: To submit comments concerning this test program, send an 
email to Josephine Baiamonte ([email protected]), Director, 
Business Transformation, ACE Business Office (ABO), Office of 
International Trade. In the subject line of an email, please use, 
``Comment on NMFS Export Test FRN''.
    Any party seeking to participate in this test should contact their 
client representative. Interested parties without an assigned client 
representative should submit an email to Steven Zaccaro at 
[email protected] with the subject heading ``NMFS Export 
FRN-Request to Participate''.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions related to the 
Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) or AES transmissions, contact 
your assigned client representative. Interested parties without an 
assigned client representative should direct their questions to Steven 
Zaccaro at [email protected]. For PGA reporting related 
questions, contact Emi Wallace (CBP) at [email protected] and 
for NMFS program related questions, contact Dale Jones (NMFS) at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

I. The Automated Commercial Environment

    ACE is an automated and electronic system for commercial trade 
processing, which is intended to streamline business processes, 
facilitate growth in trade, ensure cargo security, and foster 
participation in global commerce, while ensuring compliance with U.S. 
laws and regulations and reducing costs for CBP and all of its 
communities of interest. The ability to meet these objectives depends 
on successfully modernizing CBP's business functions and the 
information technology that supports those functions.
    CBP's modernization efforts are accomplished through phased 
releases of ACE component functionality designed to replace a specific 
function of the legacy Automated Commercial System (ACS) function. Each 
release will begin with a test and will end with mandatory use of the 
new ACE feature, thus retiring the legacy ACS function. Each release 
builds on previous releases and sets the foundation for subsequent 
releases. AES allows participants to

[[Page 35735]]

electronically file required export data with CBP in ACE.

II. International Trade Data System

    This test is in furtherance of the ITDS, which is statutorily 
authorized by section 405 of the Security and Accountability for Every 
(SAFE) Port Act of 2006, Public Law 109-347. The purpose of ITDS, as 
defined by section 4 of the SAFE Port Act of 2006, is to eliminate 
redundant information filing requirements, efficiently regulate the 
flow of commerce, and effectively enforce laws and regulations relating 
to international trade, by establishing a single portal system, 
operated by CBP, for the collection and distribution of standard 
electronic import and export data required by all participating Federal 
agencies.

III. AES, the ACE Secure Web Data Portal and the Document Image System

    AES is the electronic method for the U.S. Principal Party in 
Interest (USPPI) or their authorized agent to file export commodity and 
transportation information, known as Electronic Export Information 
(EEI), directly with CBP and the Census Bureau. EEI is the electronic 
equivalent to the Shipper's Export Declaration (SED), a paper form 
previously used by exporters to report export information. The purpose 
of AES is to be the central point through which CBP collects and 
maintains export data and related records to facilitate CBP's law 
enforcement and border security missions. CBP uses EEI to further its 
mission of ensuring the safety and security of cargo and preventing 
smuggling, expediting legitimate international trade and enforcing 
export and other applicable U.S. laws. The Census Bureau uses EEI to 
compile and publish export trade statistics.
    On April 5, 2014, AES was re-engineered and incorporated into ACE. 
General information and a list of AES certified software vendors is 
available on the following Web site: http://www.cbp.gov/trade/aes. That 
Web site also has information regarding AES Trade Interface 
Requirements (AESTIR) and the American National Standards Institute 
standard known as ANSI X.12, which together contain the formatting 
requirements for the electronic transmission of commodity and 
transportation export data to CBP via AES.
    AES offers several options for transmitting export commodity and 
transportation data, which includes the choice of using software 
developed by the user, software purchased from a vendor, a Value Added 
Network (VAN) electronic mailbox, the facilities of a port authority or 
service center, or AESDirect, a free internet application supported by 
the Census Bureau. AESDirect came on-line in October 1999 and allowed 
USPPIs or their authorized agents to file EEI free of charge using a 
variety of electronic transmission methods, the most popular of which 
is a web-based portal through which users may file any required EEI. 
AESDirect also provided USPPIs or their authorized agents with access 
to export reports that compiled the data from EEI filings associated 
with a user account.
    In the fall of 2015, CBP announced the establishment of the ACE 
Exporter Account Portal enabling USPPIs or their authorized agents to 
transmit EEI by selecting the ``Submit AESDirect Filings'' link in the 
exporter view (see 80 FR 63817, October 21, 2015). Selecting this link 
allows USPPIs or their authorized agents to gain access to the 
AESDirect portal in ACE that will allow them to file their required 
EEI. ACE AESDirect has replaced the legacy AESDirect operated by the 
Census Bureau and provides online internet filing and upload 
capabilities to facilitate the transmission of EEI.
    In addition, test participants may transmit required PGA forms 
using the DIS. For information regarding the use of DIS, and for a list 
of NMFS forms and documents which may be transmitted to ACE using DIS, 
please see http://www.cbp.gov/trade/ace/features (see the PGA 
Integration tab).
    At this time, ACE is prepared to accept certain PGA data elements 
for NMFS regulated fish products exported or re-exported from ports 
included in the test. The PGA data elements comprising the test are 
generally those found in the current paper forms (Bluefin Tuna Catch 
Document, Swordfish Statistical Document, Bigeye Statistical Document, 
Dissostichus Catch Document, and the associated re-export certificates, 
if any), which are currently filed via fax, email, and/or paper 
communications directly with NMFS. These data elements are set forth in 
the AESTIR (see https://www.cbp.gov/trade/aes).
    Upon commencement of this test, operational ports will begin 
accepting the transmission of this data and DIS documents and forms. A 
list of those ports and the date they become operational is provided on 
the following Web site: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/ace/features (see the 
PGA Integration tab). Test participants and interested parties should 
consult the above-referenced Web site for changes/additions to the list 
of ports where NMFS data and DIS forms and documents may be sent.

IV. The National Marine Fisheries Service Test

    This ITDS test is in furtherance of key CBP ITDS initiatives as 
provided in the SAFE Port Act of 2006. The goal is to establish ACE as 
the ``single window'' for the Government and trade community by 
automating and enhancing the interaction between international trade 
partners, CBP, and PGAs by facilitating electronic collection, 
processing, sharing, and review of trade data and documents required by 
Federal agencies during the cargo import and export process. Processing 
trade data through ITDS and ACE will significantly increase efficiency 
and reduce costs over the manual, paper-based interactions that are 
currently in place. The transmission of this data will improve 
communication between NMFS and exporters, and will allow test 
participants to submit the required data once rather than submitting 
data separately to CBP and NMFS, resulting in quicker processing. 
During this test, participants will collaborate with CBP and NMFS to 
examine the effectiveness of the ``single window'' capability.
    Currently, NMFS programmatic requirements for exports are separated 
into two different programs: The Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Program 
which includes various tunas and swordfish, and the Antarctic Marine 
Living Resources (AMLR) program which covers fresh and frozen toothfish 
(Dissostichus species). Under this test, NMFS required data will be 
transmitted electronically through ACE for any merchandise or 
combination thereof covered by any of these programs.
    For approved participants, the test may include all modes of 
transport at the selected port(s), and all commodities regulated under 
the two NMFS export monitoring programs when exported at one of the 
selected ports. The export declaration process for NMFS will require 
the submission of specifically designated data/information. Both the 
transmission of the required data for NMFS and DIS will be utilized to 
collect the specified information that is required by NMFS.
    The data will be transmitted in ACE through the use of AES at the 
time of the filing in addition to the CBP required export data. Scanned 
copies of specific documents required will be submitted at the time of 
filing to the CBP DIS, either through uploading the file copies to the 
AES system or by sending them to the DIS as email attachments.
    Examples of the kind of data that will be transmitted as part of 
this test are: the exporter's permit number and a

[[Page 35736]]

document number for the catch certificate or re-export certificate. 
Examples of the types of scanned images that will be submitted to the 
DIS are: the international statistical documents pertaining to the 
harvest, re-export documents for product imported and re-exported from 
another country before shipment to the United States, or other specific 
and required catch/harvest documentation pertaining to the product 
being exported. Note that in cases where an electronic bluefin tuna 
catch document (eBCD) has been created in the centralized system 
implemented by the International Commission for the Conservation of 
Atlantic Tunas, a reduced data set consisting of the eBCD number and 
the exporter permit number would suffice as an export filing, without 
need for any forms submitted via DIS.
    For information regarding fish products regulated by NMFS and data, 
information, forms and documents required by NMFS, see the 
implementation guidelines for the NMFS at: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/aes.

V. Test Participation Criteria and Participation Procedure

    Any party seeking to participate in this test must provide CBP, in 
their request to participate, their filer code and the port(s) at which 
they are interested in filing the appropriate PGA data set and DIS 
information. Requests to participate in this test will be accepted 
throughout the duration of the test. To be eligible to apply for this 
test, the applicant must be a self-filing exporter who has the ability 
to file AES export declarations or a broker who has the ability to file 
AES export declarations; and the applicant files declarations for NMFS 
commodities that are the subject of this test. All test participants 
are required to use a software program that has completed ACE 
certification testing for export data. At this time, data and DIS 
submissions may be submitted for exports filed at any operational port. 
Test participants should contact their client representative regarding 
export declarations eligible for the test and operational ports (see 
ADDRESSES). A current listing of the participating ports and the date 
each port becomes operational for the test may be found on the 
designated Web site (see DATES).

VI. Anticipated Process Changes

    The current paper process for reporting exports under the NMFS 
Highly Migratory Species (HMS) and the Antarctic Marine Living 
Resources (AMLR) Programs will be replaced by the submittal of data and 
scanned document images through a combination of AESTIR data 
transmission and DIS. A proposed rule to address this planned 
transition was published on December 29, 2015 (80 FR 81251). This test 
covers communication and coordination among the agencies and the filers 
for the exportation of these fisheries products. The agencies will also 
be testing new operational processes in real time with actual ACE 
filings in the production environment that include test messages to 
communicate errors in filing and release status updates to the port and 
to the filer.

VII. Confidentiality

    All data submitted and entered into ACE is subject to the Trade 
Secrets Act (18 U.S.C. 1905) and is considered confidential, except to 
the extent as otherwise provided by law. As stated in previous notices, 
participation in this or any of the previous ACE tests is not 
confidential and upon a written Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 
request, a name(s) of an approved participant(s) will be disclosed by 
CBP in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552.

    Dated: May 27, 2016.
Jeffrey Weir,
Acting Director, Office for International Affairs and Seafood 
Inspection, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-13125 Filed 6-2-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                                  35734                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 107 / Friday, June 3, 2016 / Notices

                                                  the Commission on Enhancing National                    who were unable to attend in person are                on the submission and processing of
                                                  Cybersecurity—CA’’.                                     invited to submit written statements. In               export data will be accepted throughout
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant                     addition, written statements are invited               the duration of the test.
                                                  to the Federal Advisory Committee Act,                  and may be submitted to the                            ADDRESSES: To submit comments
                                                  as amended, 5 U.S.C. App., notice is                    Commission at any time. All written                    concerning this test program, send an
                                                  hereby given that the Commission on                     statements should be directed to the                   email to Josephine Baiamonte
                                                  Enhancing National Cybersecurity (‘‘the                 Commission Executive Director,                         (Josephine.Baiamonte@dhs.gov),
                                                  Commission’’) will meet Tuesday, June                   Information Technology Laboratory, 100                 Director, Business Transformation, ACE
                                                  21, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.                Bureau Drive, Stop 8900, National                      Business Office (ABO), Office of
                                                  Pacific Time. All sessions will be open                 Institute of Standards and Technology,                 International Trade. In the subject line
                                                  to the public. The Commission is                        Gaithersburg, MD 20899–8900.                           of an email, please use, ‘‘Comment on
                                                  authorized by Executive Order 13718,                                                                           NMFS Export Test FRN’’.
                                                                                                          Kent Rochford,
                                                  Commission on Enhancing National                                                                                  Any party seeking to participate in
                                                                                                          Associate Director for Laboratory Programs.
                                                  Cybersecurity.1 The Commission was                                                                             this test should contact their client
                                                  established by the President and will                   [FR Doc. 2016–13096 Filed 6–2–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                                 representative. Interested parties
                                                  make detailed recommendations to                        BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
                                                                                                                                                                 without an assigned client
                                                  strengthen cybersecurity in both the                                                                           representative should submit an email
                                                  public and private sectors while                                                                               to Steven Zaccaro at
                                                  protecting privacy, ensuring public                     DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                                                                                                                                                 steven.j.zaccaro@cbp.dhs.gov with the
                                                  safety and economic and national                                                                               subject heading ‘‘NMFS Export FRN-
                                                                                                          National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                  security, fostering discovery and                                                                              Request to Participate’’.
                                                                                                          Administration
                                                  development of new technical solutions,
                                                                                                                                                                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
                                                  and bolstering partnerships between                     RIN 0648–XE607
                                                  Federal, State, local, tribal and                                                                              technical questions related to the
                                                  territorial governments and the private                 International Trade Data System Test                   Automated Commercial Environment
                                                  sector in the development, promotion,                   Concerning the Electronic Submission                   (ACE) or AES transmissions, contact
                                                  and use of cybersecurity technologies,                  of Certain Data Required for Exports                   your assigned client representative.
                                                  policies, and best practices.                                                                                  Interested parties without an assigned
                                                                                                          AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                     client representative should direct their
                                                     The agenda is expected to include the                Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
                                                  following items:                                                                                               questions to Steven Zaccaro at
                                                                                                          Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                     steven.j.zaccaro@cbp.dhs.gov. For PGA
                                                  —Introductions                                          Commerce.
                                                  —Panel discussions on addressing                                                                               reporting related questions, contact Emi
                                                                                                          ACTION: Notice; request for comments.                  Wallace (CBP) at
                                                     cybersecurity challenges to the digital
                                                     economy                                                                                                     emi.r.wallace@cbp.dhs.gov and for
                                                                                                          SUMMARY:   NMFS announces, in                          NMFS program related questions,
                                                  —Panel discussions on innovating and                    consultation with U.S. Customs and
                                                     collaborating to secure the digital                                                                         contact Dale Jones (NMFS) at
                                                                                                          Border Protection (CBP), a test of the                 dale.jones@noaa.gov.
                                                     economy                                              International Trade Data System (ITDS)
                                                  —Conclusion                                             involving the electronic submission of                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                  Note that agenda items may change                       forms and/or data, related to exportation
                                                  without notice. The final agenda will be                                                                       Background
                                                                                                          of fish products regulated by NMFS,
                                                  posted on http://www.nist.gov/                          using the export Partner Government                    I. The Automated Commercial
                                                  cybercommission. Seating will be                        Agency (PGA) data set of the Automated                 Environment
                                                  available for the public and media. No                  Export System (AES) Trade Interface                       ACE is an automated and electronic
                                                  registration is required to attend this                 Requirements, AES Direct via the                       system for commercial trade processing,
                                                  meeting.                                                Automated Commercial Environment                       which is intended to streamline
                                                     Public Participation: The Commission                 (ACE) Secure Web Portal (Portal) and                   business processes, facilitate growth in
                                                  agenda will include a period of time,                   the Document Image System (DIS). CBP                   trade, ensure cargo security, and foster
                                                  not to exceed fifteen minutes, for oral                 and NMFS have developed a plan to test                 participation in global commerce, while
                                                  comments from the public on Tuesday,                    and assess the electronic transmission of              ensuring compliance with U.S. laws and
                                                  June 21, 2016, from 4:45 p.m. until 5:00                export and re-export data for tunas,                   regulations and reducing costs for CBP
                                                  p.m. Pacific Time. Speakers will be                     swordfish and toothfish.                               and all of its communities of interest.
                                                  selected on a first-come, first-served                    The test will involve using the above                The ability to meet these objectives
                                                  basis. Each speaker will be limited to                  referenced methods to transmit the data                depends on successfully modernizing
                                                  five minutes. Questions from the public                 required for processing exports or re-                 CBP’s business functions and the
                                                  will not be considered during this                      exports of tunas, swordfish and                        information technology that supports
                                                  period. Members of the public who are                   toothfish. Under this test, data may be                those functions.
                                                  interested in speaking are requested to                 submitted for the covered fish products                   CBP’s modernization efforts are
                                                  contact Sara Kerman at the contact                      exported from any operational port.                    accomplished through phased releases
                                                  information indicated in the FOR
                                                                                                          DATES: The test will commence after                    of ACE component functionality
                                                  FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of
                                                                                                          June 1, 2016, and will continue until                  designed to replace a specific function
                                                  this notice.
                                                                                                          concluded by publication of a notice in                of the legacy Automated Commercial
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                                     Speakers who wish to expand upon
                                                  their oral statements, those who had                    the Federal Register ending the test.                  System (ACS) function. Each release
                                                  wished to speak but could not be                        Participants should consult the                        will begin with a test and will end with
                                                  accommodated on the agenda, and those                   following Web site to determine which                  mandatory use of the new ACE feature,
                                                                                                          ports are operational for the test and the             thus retiring the legacy ACS function.
                                                    1 https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/      date that they become operational:                     Each release builds on previous releases
                                                  02/12/2016-03038/commission-on-enhancing-               https://www.cbp.gov/trade/ace/features                 and sets the foundation for subsequent
                                                  national-cybersecurity.                                 (see the PGA Integration tab). Comments                releases. AES allows participants to


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   21:20 Jun 02, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00002   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\03JNN1.SGM   03JNN1


                                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 107 / Friday, June 3, 2016 / Notices                                              35735

                                                  electronically file required export data                port authority or service center, or                   IV. The National Marine Fisheries
                                                  with CBP in ACE.                                        AESDirect, a free internet application                 Service Test
                                                                                                          supported by the Census Bureau.                           This ITDS test is in furtherance of key
                                                  II. International Trade Data System
                                                                                                          AESDirect came on-line in October 1999                 CBP ITDS initiatives as provided in the
                                                     This test is in furtherance of the ITDS,             and allowed USPPIs or their authorized
                                                  which is statutorily authorized by                                                                             SAFE Port Act of 2006. The goal is to
                                                                                                          agents to file EEI free of charge using a              establish ACE as the ‘‘single window’’
                                                  section 405 of the Security and                         variety of electronic transmission
                                                  Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port                                                                           for the Government and trade
                                                                                                          methods, the most popular of which is                  community by automating and
                                                  Act of 2006, Public Law 109–347. The                    a web-based portal through which users
                                                  purpose of ITDS, as defined by section                                                                         enhancing the interaction between
                                                                                                          may file any required EEI. AESDirect                   international trade partners, CBP, and
                                                  4 of the SAFE Port Act of 2006, is to                   also provided USPPIs or their
                                                  eliminate redundant information filing                                                                         PGAs by facilitating electronic
                                                                                                          authorized agents with access to export
                                                  requirements, efficiently regulate the                                                                         collection, processing, sharing, and
                                                                                                          reports that compiled the data from EEI
                                                  flow of commerce, and effectively                                                                              review of trade data and documents
                                                                                                          filings associated with a user account.
                                                  enforce laws and regulations relating to                   In the fall of 2015, CBP announced                  required by Federal agencies during the
                                                  international trade, by establishing a                  the establishment of the ACE Exporter                  cargo import and export process.
                                                  single portal system, operated by CBP,                  Account Portal enabling USPPIs or their                Processing trade data through ITDS and
                                                  for the collection and distribution of                  authorized agents to transmit EEI by                   ACE will significantly increase
                                                  standard electronic import and export                   selecting the ‘‘Submit AESDirect                       efficiency and reduce costs over the
                                                  data required by all participating                      Filings’’ link in the exporter view (see               manual, paper-based interactions that
                                                  Federal agencies.                                       80 FR 63817, October 21, 2015).                        are currently in place. The transmission
                                                                                                          Selecting this link allows USPPIs or                   of this data will improve
                                                  III. AES, the ACE Secure Web Data                                                                              communication between NMFS and
                                                  Portal and the Document Image System                    their authorized agents to gain access to
                                                                                                          the AESDirect portal in ACE that will                  exporters, and will allow test
                                                     AES is the electronic method for the                 allow them to file their required EEI.                 participants to submit the required data
                                                  U.S. Principal Party in Interest (USPPI)                ACE AESDirect has replaced the legacy                  once rather than submitting data
                                                  or their authorized agent to file export                AESDirect operated by the Census                       separately to CBP and NMFS, resulting
                                                  commodity and transportation                            Bureau and provides online internet                    in quicker processing. During this test,
                                                  information, known as Electronic Export                 filing and upload capabilities to                      participants will collaborate with CBP
                                                  Information (EEI), directly with CBP and                facilitate the transmission of EEI.                    and NMFS to examine the effectiveness
                                                  the Census Bureau. EEI is the electronic                   In addition, test participants may                  of the ‘‘single window’’ capability.
                                                  equivalent to the Shipper’s Export                      transmit required PGA forms using the                     Currently, NMFS programmatic
                                                  Declaration (SED), a paper form                         DIS. For information regarding the use                 requirements for exports are separated
                                                  previously used by exporters to report                  of DIS, and for a list of NMFS forms and               into two different programs: The Highly
                                                  export information. The purpose of AES                  documents which may be transmitted to                  Migratory Species (HMS) Program
                                                  is to be the central point through which                ACE using DIS, please see http://                      which includes various tunas and
                                                  CBP collects and maintains export data                  www.cbp.gov/trade/ace/features (see the                swordfish, and the Antarctic Marine
                                                  and related records to facilitate CBP’s                 PGA Integration tab).                                  Living Resources (AMLR) program
                                                  law enforcement and border security                        At this time, ACE is prepared to                    which covers fresh and frozen toothfish
                                                  missions. CBP uses EEI to further its                   accept certain PGA data elements for                   (Dissostichus species). Under this test,
                                                  mission of ensuring the safety and                      NMFS regulated fish products exported                  NMFS required data will be transmitted
                                                  security of cargo and preventing                        or re-exported from ports included in                  electronically through ACE for any
                                                  smuggling, expediting legitimate                        the test. The PGA data elements                        merchandise or combination thereof
                                                  international trade and enforcing export                comprising the test are generally those                covered by any of these programs.
                                                  and other applicable U.S. laws. The                     found in the current paper forms                          For approved participants, the test
                                                  Census Bureau uses EEI to compile and                   (Bluefin Tuna Catch Document,                          may include all modes of transport at
                                                  publish export trade statistics.                        Swordfish Statistical Document, Bigeye                 the selected port(s), and all commodities
                                                     On April 5, 2014, AES was re-                        Statistical Document, Dissostichus                     regulated under the two NMFS export
                                                  engineered and incorporated into ACE.                   Catch Document, and the associated re-                 monitoring programs when exported at
                                                  General information and a list of AES                   export certificates, if any), which are                one of the selected ports. The export
                                                  certified software vendors is available                 currently filed via fax, email, and/or                 declaration process for NMFS will
                                                  on the following Web site: http://www.                  paper communications directly with                     require the submission of specifically
                                                  cbp.gov/trade/aes. That Web site also                   NMFS. These data elements are set forth                designated data/information. Both the
                                                  has information regarding AES Trade                     in the AESTIR (see https://                            transmission of the required data for
                                                  Interface Requirements (AESTIR) and                     www.cbp.gov/trade/aes).                                NMFS and DIS will be utilized to collect
                                                  the American National Standards                            Upon commencement of this test,                     the specified information that is
                                                  Institute standard known as ANSI X.12,                  operational ports will begin accepting                 required by NMFS.
                                                  which together contain the formatting                   the transmission of this data and DIS                     The data will be transmitted in ACE
                                                  requirements for the electronic                         documents and forms. A list of those                   through the use of AES at the time of the
                                                  transmission of commodity and                           ports and the date they become                         filing in addition to the CBP required
                                                  transportation export data to CBP via                   operational is provided on the following               export data. Scanned copies of specific
                                                  AES.                                                    Web site: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/                   documents required will be submitted at
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                                     AES offers several options for                       ace/features (see the PGA Integration                  the time of filing to the CBP DIS, either
                                                  transmitting export commodity and                       tab). Test participants and interested                 through uploading the file copies to the
                                                  transportation data, which includes the                 parties should consult the above-                      AES system or by sending them to the
                                                  choice of using software developed by                   referenced Web site for changes/                       DIS as email attachments.
                                                  the user, software purchased from a                     additions to the list of ports where                      Examples of the kind of data that will
                                                  vendor, a Value Added Network (VAN)                     NMFS data and DIS forms and                            be transmitted as part of this test are: the
                                                  electronic mailbox, the facilities of a                 documents may be sent.                                 exporter’s permit number and a


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                                                  35736                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 107 / Friday, June 3, 2016 / Notices

                                                  document number for the catch                           the submittal of data and scanned                      Street, Portland, ME 04101; telephone:
                                                  certificate or re-export certificate.                   document images through a                              (800) 345–5050; or online at http://
                                                  Examples of the types of scanned                        combination of AESTIR data                             www.innbythebay.com/. Council
                                                  images that will be submitted to the DIS                transmission and DIS. A proposed rule                  address: New England Fishery
                                                  are: the international statistical                      to address this planned transition was                 Management Council, 50 Water Street,
                                                  documents pertaining to the harvest, re-                published on December 29, 2015 (80 FR                  Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950;
                                                  export documents for product imported                   81251). This test covers communication                 telephone: (978) 465–0492.
                                                  and re-exported from another country                    and coordination among the agencies                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                  before shipment to the United States, or                and the filers for the exportation of                  Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director,
                                                  other specific and required catch/                      these fisheries products. The agencies                 New England Fishery Management
                                                  harvest documentation pertaining to the                 will also be testing new operational                   Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492, ext.
                                                  product being exported. Note that in                    processes in real time with actual ACE                 113.
                                                  cases where an electronic bluefin tuna                  filings in the production environment                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                  catch document (eBCD) has been                          that include test messages to
                                                  created in the centralized system                       communicate errors in filing and release               Agenda
                                                  implemented by the International                        status updates to the port and to the                  Tuesday, June 21, 2016
                                                  Commission for the Conservation of                      filer.
                                                  Atlantic Tunas, a reduced data set                                                                                After introductions and any
                                                  consisting of the eBCD number and the                   VII. Confidentiality                                   announcements, the Council meeting
                                                  exporter permit number would suffice                                                                           will open with brief reports from the
                                                                                                            All data submitted and entered into
                                                  as an export filing, without need for any                                                                      NEFMC Chairman and Executive
                                                                                                          ACE is subject to the Trade Secrets Act
                                                  forms submitted via DIS.                                                                                       Director, the NOAA Regional
                                                                                                          (18 U.S.C. 1905) and is considered
                                                    For information regarding fish                                                                               Administrator for the Greater Atlantic
                                                                                                          confidential, except to the extent as
                                                  products regulated by NMFS and data,                                                                           Region (GAR), Northeast Fisheries
                                                                                                          otherwise provided by law. As stated in
                                                  information, forms and documents                                                                               Science Center and Mid-Atlantic
                                                                                                          previous notices, participation in this or             Fishery Management Council liaisons,
                                                  required by NMFS, see the                               any of the previous ACE tests is not
                                                  implementation guidelines for the                                                                              NOAA General Counsel and Office of
                                                                                                          confidential and upon a written                        Law Enforcement representatives, and
                                                  NMFS at: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/                     Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
                                                  aes.                                                                                                           staff from the Atlantic States Marine
                                                                                                          request, a name(s) of an approved                      Fisheries Commission and the U.S Coast
                                                  V. Test Participation Criteria and                      participant(s) will be disclosed by CBP                Guard. Following these reports, the
                                                  Participation Procedure                                 in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552.                       Enforcement/VMS Committee will
                                                    Any party seeking to participate in                     Dated: May 27, 2016.                                 review feedback from other species
                                                  this test must provide CBP, in their                    Jeffrey Weir,                                          committees on the Office of Law
                                                  request to participate, their filer code                Acting Director, Office for International              Enforcement’s priorities, as well as
                                                  and the port(s) at which they are                       Affairs and Seafood Inspection, National               recommendations on other issues. A
                                                  interested in filing the appropriate PGA                Marine Fisheries Service.                              public comment period is then
                                                  data set and DIS information. Requests                  [FR Doc. 2016–13125 Filed 6–2–16; 8:45 am]             scheduled during which any member of
                                                  to participate in this test will be                     BILLING CODE 3510–22–P                                 the public may bring issues forward that
                                                  accepted throughout the duration of the                                                                        relate to Council business but are not
                                                  test. To be eligible to apply for this test,                                                                   included on the published agenda for
                                                  the applicant must be a self-filing                     DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                 this meeting. Next, BOEM will update
                                                  exporter who has the ability to file AES                                                                       the Council on the status of offshore
                                                  export declarations or a broker who has                 National Oceanic and Atmospheric                       wind leasing in the Atlantic and discuss
                                                  the ability to file AES export                          Administration                                         a request for comments on the site
                                                  declarations; and the applicant files                   RIN 0648–XE665                                         assessment and site characterization
                                                  declarations for NMFS commodities that                                                                         activities proposed off NY. After a
                                                  are the subject of this test. All test                  New England Fishery Management                         lunchbreak, the NEFMC’s Small Mesh
                                                  participants are required to use a                      Council; Public Meeting                                Multispecies will review a progress
                                                  software program that has completed                                                                            report on the small-mesh multispecies
                                                                                                          AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                     (whiting/hake) fishery fleet history to
                                                  ACE certification testing for export data.
                                                                                                          Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                   develop limited access alternatives for
                                                  At this time, data and DIS submissions
                                                                                                          Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                     Amendment 22, and reconsider
                                                  may be submitted for exports filed at
                                                                                                          Commerce.                                              proceeding with development of this
                                                  any operational port. Test participants
                                                  should contact their client                             ACTION: Notice of public meeting.                      action. Next, the Northeast Fisheries
                                                  representative regarding export                                                                                Science Center will provide a
                                                                                                          SUMMARY:   The New England Fishery                     presentation on its Draft Climate
                                                  declarations eligible for the test and                  Management Council (Council, NEFMC)
                                                  operational ports (see ADDRESSES). A                                                                           Regional Action Plan. Under the
                                                                                                          will hold a three-day meeting to                       Scientific and Statistical Committee
                                                  current listing of the participating ports              consider actions affecting New England
                                                  and the date each port becomes                                                                                 report the Council will receive an
                                                                                                          fisheries in the exclusive economic zone               update on SSC discussions about
                                                  operational for the test may be found on                (EEZ).                                                 improving groundfish catch advice,
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  the designated Web site (see DATES).
                                                                                                          DATES: The meeting will be held on                     provide its comments on the Risk Policy
                                                  VI. Anticipated Process Changes                         Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,                       Working Group’s ‘‘roadmap,’’ its
                                                    The current paper process for                         June 21, 22, and 23, 2016. It will start               comments on the five-year review of the
                                                  reporting exports under the NMFS                        at 9 a.m. on June 21, 8:30 a.m. on June                scallop limited access general category
                                                  Highly Migratory Species (HMS) and the                  22, and at 8 a.m. on June 23.                          ITQ program, and comments on the
                                                  Antarctic Marine Living Resources                       ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at                 Draft Northeast Regional Climate
                                                  (AMLR) Programs will be replaced by                     the Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring                  Science Action Plan. Before adjourning


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Document Created: 2018-02-08 07:29:54
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 07:29:54
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice; request for comments.
DatesThe test will commence after June 1, 2016, and will continue until concluded by publication of a notice in the Federal Register ending the test. Participants should consult the following Web site to determine which ports are operational for the test and the date that they become operational: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/ace/features (see the PGA Integration tab). Comments on the submission and processing of export data will be accepted throughout the duration of the test.
ContactFor technical questions related to the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) or AES transmissions, contact your assigned client representative. Interested parties without an assigned client representative should direct their questions to Steven Zaccaro at [email protected] For PGA reporting related questions, contact Emi Wallace (CBP) at [email protected] and for NMFS program related questions, contact Dale Jones (NMFS) at [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 35734 
RIN Number0648-XE60

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