83 FR 12403 - Extension of National Customs Automation Program; eBond Test

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 55 (March 21, 2018)

Page Range		12403-12404
FR Document		2018-05694

This document announces the extension of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) test concerning the automation of CBP's bond program (eBond test). CBP announced the eBond test in a Federal Register notice published on November 28, 2014. The test program has run continuously and without interruption since it commenced on January 3, 2015, and continues to run currently. This notice informs interested members of the public that CBP is extending the test until further notice.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 55 (Wednesday, March 21, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 21, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12403-12404]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05694]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection


Extension of National Customs Automation Program; eBond Test

AGENCY: Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: General notice.

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SUMMARY: This document announces the extension of U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection's (CBP's) National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) 
test concerning the automation of CBP's bond program (eBond test). CBP 
announced the eBond test in a Federal Register notice published on 
November 28, 2014. The test program has run continuously and without 
interruption since it commenced on January 3, 2015, and continues to 
run currently. This notice informs interested members of the public 
that CBP is extending the test until further notice.

DATES: The eBond test program is extended until further notice. CBP 
will publish notice of the conclusion of the eBond test in the Federal 
Register.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and/or questions regarding this notice or 
any aspect of this test may be submitted to CBP via email to 
eBondTest@cbp.dhs.gov with the subject line identifier reading 
``Comments/Question on eBond Test.'' Requests for a surety filer code, 
and surety requests to participate in the eBond test should be sent to 
CONRAD.L.HENRY@cbp.dhs.gov, with a subject line identifier specifying 
either ``Surety filer code request'' or ``Surety request to participate 
in eBond test.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For operational questions, please 
contact Kara Welty, Chief, Debt Management Branch, Revenue Division, 
Office of Finance at KARA.N.WELTY@CBP.DHS.GOV. For technical questions, 
please contact John Everett, Chief, Post Release Branch, Trade 
Transformation Office at JOHN.R.EVERETT@cbp.dhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

I. National Customs Automation Program

    The National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) was established in 
Subtitle B of Title VI--Customs Modernization, in the North American 
Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Customs Modernization Act) 
(Pub. L. 103-182, 107 Stat. 2057, 2170, December 8, 1993) (19 U.S.C. 
1411). Through NCAP, the thrust of customs modernization was on trade 
compliance and the development of the Automated Commercial Environment 
(ACE), the planned successor to the Automated Commercial System (ACS). 
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 U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection (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 specific 
legacy ACS functions and add new functionality.
    Section 631 of the Customs Modernization Act added section 411 to 
the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1411). This section defines the NCAP, 
provides for the establishment of and participation in the NCAP, and 
includes a list of existing and planned components. Section 
411(a)(2)(D) identifies the electronic filing of bonds as a planned 
NCAP component.
    Pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1623(b), bonds may be submitted 
electronically to CBP pursuant to an authorized electronic data 
interchange (EDI) system. Furthermore, as stated in 19 U.S.C. 1623(d), 
a bond transmitted

[[Page 12404]]

electronically to a CBP-authorized EDI system will have the same force 
and effect and be binding upon the parties as if the bond were manually 
executed, signed, and filed. The CBP regulations governing bonds are 
found in part 113 of Chapter 1 of title 19 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (19 CFR part 113).

II. Authorization for the eBond Test

    The Customs Modernization Act authorizes the Commissioner of CBP to 
conduct limited test programs or procedures designed to evaluate 
planned components of the NCAP. The test concerning the automation of 
CBP's bond program (eBond Test) is authorized pursuant to 19 CFR 
101.9(b), which provides for the testing of NCAP components. See T.D. 
95-21, 60 FR 14211 (March 16, 1995).

III. Description and Extension of the Test Program

    A notice describing the eBond test program and setting forth the 
program's terms and conditions was published in the Federal Register 
(79 FR 70881) on November 28, 2014. That notice provided for the 
transmission of electronic bond contracts (eBonds) between principals 
and sureties, with CBP as the third-party beneficiary, in the Automated 
Commercial Environment (ACE) for the purpose of linking those eBonds to 
the transactions they are intended to secure. The notice described the 
test program in detail, setting forth the method and content for the 
transmission of electronic bonds, either through an electronic data 
interchange (EDI), or by email, for manual input into ACE. Furthermore, 
the test notice identified the regulatory provisions suspended for the 
test, announced the eligibility criteria for participation in the test 
program, and stated that the test would commence on January 3, 2015 and 
continue for approximately two years.
    A subsequent notice was published in the Federal Register (80 FR 
899) on January 7, 2015, announcing three clarifications of the eBond 
test: The method by which continuous bonds executed prior to or outside 
of the eBond test could be converted to eBonds by the surety and 
principal; that the surety or principal has the ability to terminate an 
eBond; and that the principal on an eBond is identified by its filing 
identification number. In addition, the notice corrected the email 
address to which the public could address technical questions. These 
changes became effective January 7, 2015.
    On November 13, 2015, after the publication of the eBond test 
notices described above, CBP published a final rule in the Federal 
Register (80 FR 70154) amending the CBP regulations to allow, among 
other things, the submission of a bond application by email. As a 
result of that rule, bond contracts can be transmitted via email 
pursuant to the regulations, and email transmission is no longer part 
of the eBond test.
    In this document, CBP announces that it is extending the test 
indefinitely. CBP will publish notice of the conclusion of the test in 
the Federal Register. The extension of the test program is intended to 
encourage greater participation in the test by the trade and thereby 
provide CBP data needed to assess the feasibility of implementing the 
test program on a permanent basis. Comments concerning this notice and 
any aspect of the prototype may be submitted at any time during the 
test period. Except with respect to transmission of bond contracts via 
email pursuant to the regulations, rather than pursuant to the eBond 
test, all aspects, rules, terms and conditions announced in previous 
notices regarding the eBond test remain in effect. CBP will inform 
interested members of the public of its decision to implement and/or 
conclude the test program by way of announcement in the Federal 
Register.

    Dated: March 15, 2018.
Brenda B. Smith,
Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Trade.
[FR Doc. 2018-05694 Filed 3-20-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9111-14-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 21, 2018 / Notices 12403

the NDGPS system was reduced from For more information on the NDGPS identifier specifying either ‘‘Surety filer
the 2015 constellation of 84 sites, to the outages and broadcast termination code request’’ or ‘‘Surety request to
current constellation of 38 maritime dates, visit the USCG’s website at participate in eBond test.’’
sites. Pursuant to this announcement, https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
the USCG’s remaining 38 maritime sites ?pageName=dgpsSiteInfo& operational questions, please contact
will be discontinued in stages, currentOutages. Kara Welty, Chief, Debt Management
beginning in September of 2018 and Additional information on GPS, Branch, Revenue Division, Office of
ending in September of 2020. NDGPS, and other GPS augmentation Finance at KARA.N.WELTY@
systems is also available in the 2017 CBP.DHS.GOV. For technical questions,
Timeline of Maritime Sites To Be Federal Radionavigation Plan, which is please contact John Everett, Chief, Post
Discontinued published by the Department of Release Branch, Trade Transformation
Termination of the NDGPS broadcast Defense, Department of Homeland Office at JOHN.R.EVERETT@
during Fiscal Year 2018 is planned to Security, and U.S. DOT, and is also cbp.dhs.gov.
occur at the following sites. Specific available at the USCG’s website at
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
broadcast discontinuance dates for each http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/
site will be announced via Local Notices ?pageName=pubsMain. Background
to Mariners (LNMs) 60 days in advance Authority: This notice is issued under the I. National Customs Automation
of the termination of the NDGPS authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 14 U.S.C. 81. Program
broadcast. Issued in Washington, DC, on March 14,
• Annapolis, MD 2018.
The National Customs Automation
• New Bern, NC Michael D. Emerson,
Program (NCAP) was established in
• Robinson Point, WA Subtitle B of Title VI—Customs
Director of Marine Transportation Systems,
• Pigeon Point, CA Modernization, in the North American
U.S. Coast Guard.
• Bobo, MS Free Trade Agreement Implementation
[FR Doc. 2018–05684 Filed 3–20–18; 8:45 am] Act (Customs Modernization Act) (Pub.
Termination of the NDGPS broadcast
at the following sites is planned to occur BILLING CODE 9110–04–P L. 103–182, 107 Stat. 2057, 2170,
in Fiscal Year 2019. December 8, 1993) (19 U.S.C. 1411).
• Whidbey Island, WA Through NCAP, the thrust of customs
• Appleton, WA DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND modernization was on trade compliance
• Fort Stevens, OR SECURITY and the development of the Automated
• Cape Mendocino, CA Commercial Environment (ACE), the
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Lincoln, CA planned successor to the Automated
• Point Loma, CA Extension of National Customs Commercial System (ACS). ACE is an
• Kokole Point, HI Automation Program; eBond Test automated and electronic system for
• Upolu Point, HI commercial trade processing which is
• Driver, VA AGENCY: Customs and Border Protection, intended to streamline business
• Kensington, SC Department of Homeland Security. processes, facilitate growth in trade,
• Cape Canaveral, FL ACTION: General notice. ensure cargo security, and foster
• Card Sound, FL participation in global commerce, while
• Tampa, FL SUMMARY: This document announces the ensuring compliance with U.S. laws and
• Wisconsin Point, WI extension of U.S. Customs and Border regulations and reducing costs for U.S.
• Mequon, WI Protection’s (CBP’s) National Customs Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Upper Keweenaw, MI Automation Program (NCAP) test and all of its communities of interest.
• Cheboygan, MI concerning the automation of CBP’s The ability to meet these objectives
• Detroit, MI bond program (eBond test). CBP depends on successfully modernizing
• Youngstown, NY announced the eBond test in a Federal
Termination of the NDGPS broadcast CBP’s business functions and the
Register notice published on November information technology that supports
at the following sites is planned to occur 28, 2014. The test program has run
in Fiscal Year 2020. those functions. CBP’s modernization
continuously and without interruption efforts are accomplished through phased
• Penobscot, ME since it commenced on January 3, 2015,
• Acushnet, MA releases of ACE component
and continues to run currently. This functionality designed to replace
• Hudson Falls, NY notice informs interested members of
• Moriches, NY specific legacy ACS functions and add
the public that CBP is extending the test new functionality.
• Sandy Hook, NJ until further notice.
• English Turn, LA Section 631 of the Customs
DATES: The eBond test program is Modernization Act added section 411 to
• Angleton, TX
• Annette Island, AK extended until further notice. CBP will the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1411).
• Biorka, AK publish notice of the conclusion of the This section defines the NCAP, provides
• Kenai, AK eBond test in the Federal Register. for the establishment of and
• Kodiak, AK ADDRESSES: Written comments and/or participation in the NCAP, and includes
• Gustavus, AK questions regarding this notice or any a list of existing and planned
• Potato Point, AK aspect of this test may be submitted to components. Section 411(a)(2)(D)
• Level Island, AK CBP via email to eBondTest@
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

identifies the electronic filing of bonds
General information regarding the cbp.dhs.gov with the subject line as a planned NCAP component.
NDGPS Service and graphics depicting identifier reading ‘‘Comments/Question Pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1623(b), bonds
the proposed changes to NDGPS on eBond Test.’’ Requests for a surety may be submitted electronically to CBP
coverage are available at the USCG’s filer code, and surety requests to pursuant to an authorized electronic
NDGPS General Information website at: participate in the eBond test should be data interchange (EDI) system.
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/ sent to CONRAD.L.HENRY@ Furthermore, as stated in 19 U.S.C.
?pageName=dgpsMain. cbp.dhs.gov, with a subject line 1623(d), a bond transmitted

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12404 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 21, 2018 / Notices

electronically to a CBP-authorized EDI described above, CBP published a final by mail to the Indian Highway Safety
system will have the same force and rule in the Federal Register (80 FR Program Coordinator, Ms. Kimberly
effect and be binding upon the parties 70154) amending the CBP regulations to Belone, 1001 Indian School Road NW,
as if the bond were manually executed, allow, among other things, the Albuquerque NM 87104; or by email to
signed, and filed. The CBP regulations submission of a bond application by Kimberly.belone@bia.gov. Please
governing bonds are found in part 113 email. As a result of that rule, bond reference OMB Control Number 1076–
of Chapter 1 of title 19 of the Code of contracts can be transmitted via email NEW in the subject line of your
Federal Regulations (19 CFR part 113). pursuant to the regulations, and email comments.
II. Authorization for the eBond Test transmission is no longer part of the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
eBond test. request additional information about
The Customs Modernization Act In this document, CBP announces that
authorizes the Commissioner of CBP to this ICR, contact Indian Highway
it is extending the test indefinitely. CBP Program Director L.G. Robertson, 1001
conduct limited test programs or will publish notice of the conclusion of
procedures designed to evaluate Indian School Road NW, Albuquerque
the test in the Federal Register. The NM 87104 by email at
planned components of the NCAP. The extension of the test program is
test concerning the automation of CBP’s Lawrence.robertson@bia.gov, or by
intended to encourage greater telephone at 505–563–3780.
bond program (eBond Test) is participation in the test by the trade and
authorized pursuant to 19 CFR 101.9(b), SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
thereby provide CBP data needed to
which provides for the testing of NCAP accordance with the Paperwork
assess the feasibility of implementing
components. See T.D. 95–21, 60 FR Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the
the test program on a permanent basis.
14211 (March 16, 1995). general public and other Federal
Comments concerning this notice and
agencies with an opportunity to
III. Description and Extension of the any aspect of the prototype may be
comment on new, proposed, revised,
Test Program submitted at any time during the test
and continuing collections of
period. Except with respect to
A notice describing the eBond test information. This helps us assess the
transmission of bond contracts via email
program and setting forth the program’s impact of our information collection
pursuant to the regulations, rather than
terms and conditions was published in requirements and minimize the public’s
the Federal Register (79 FR 70881) on pursuant to the eBond test, all aspects,
reporting burden. It also helps the
November 28, 2014. That notice rules, terms and conditions announced
public understand our information
provided for the transmission of in previous notices regarding the eBond
collection requirements and provide the
electronic bond contracts (eBonds) test remain in effect. CBP will inform
requested data in the desired format.
between principals and sureties, with interested members of the public of its We are soliciting comments on the
CBP as the third-party beneficiary, in decision to implement and/or conclude proposed ICR that is described below.
the Automated Commercial the test program by way of We are especially interested in public
Environment (ACE) for the purpose of announcement in the Federal Register. comment addressing the following
linking those eBonds to the transactions Dated: March 15, 2018. issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to
they are intended to secure. The notice Brenda B. Smith, the proper functions of the BIA IHSP;
described the test program in detail, Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of (2) will this information be processed
setting forth the method and content for Trade. and used in a timely manner; (3) is the
the transmission of electronic bonds, [FR Doc. 2018–05694 Filed 3–20–18; 8:45 am] estimate of burden accurate; (4) how
either through an electronic data BILLING CODE 9111–14–P might the BIA IHSP enhance the quality,
interchange (EDI), or by email, for utility, and clarity of the information to
manual input into ACE. Furthermore, be collected; and (5) how might the BIA
the test notice identified the regulatory DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR IHSP minimize the burden of this
provisions suspended for the test, collection on the respondents, including
announced the eligibility criteria for Bureau of Indian Affairs through the use of information
participation in the test program, and technology.
[189A2100DD/AAKC001030/ Comments that you submit in
stated that the test would commence on A0A501010.999900 253G; OMB Control
January 3, 2015 and continue for Number 1076—NEW]
response to this notice are a matter of
approximately two years. public record. We will include or
A subsequent notice was published in Agency Information Collection summarize each comment in our request
the Federal Register (80 FR 899) on Activities; Indian Highway Safety to OMB to approve this ICR. Before
January 7, 2015, announcing three Grants including your address, phone number,
clarifications of the eBond test: The email address, or other personal
method by which continuous bonds AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), identifying information in your
executed prior to or outside of the Interior. comment, you should be aware that
eBond test could be converted to ACTION: Notice of information collection; your entire comment—including your
eBonds by the surety and principal; that request for comment. personal identifying information—may
the surety or principal has the ability to be made publicly available at any time.
terminate an eBond; and that the SUMMARY: In accordance with the While you can ask us in your comment
principal on an eBond is identified by Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, to withhold your personal identifying
the BIA Indian Highway Safety Program
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

its filing identification number. In information from public review, we
addition, the notice corrected the email (IHSP) are proposing a new information cannot guarantee that we will be able to
address to which the public could collection. do so.
address technical questions. These DATES: Interested persons are invited to Abstract: Information collected from
changes became effective January 7, submit comments on or before May 21, tribal entities concerning, population,
2015. 2018. land base, highway miles and statistical
On November 13, 2015, after the ADDRESSES: Send your comments on data concerning vehicle fatalities,
publication of the eBond test notices this information collection request (ICR) crashes, traffic enforcement actions and

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Document Created: 2018-03-21 00:45:46
Document Modified: 2018-03-21 00:45:46

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		General notice.
Dates		The eBond test program is extended until further notice. CBP will publish notice of the conclusion of the eBond test in the Federal Register.
Contact		For operational questions, please contact Kara Welty, Chief, Debt Management Branch, Revenue Division, Office of Finance at [email protected] For technical questions, please contact John Everett, Chief, Post Release Branch, Trade Transformation Office at [email protected]
FR Citation		83 FR 12403

83 FR 12403 - Extension of National Customs Automation Program; eBond Test

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITYU.S. Customs and Border Protection

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 55 (March 21, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection