International Trade Data System Test Concerning the Electronic Submission Through the Automated Commercial Environment of Notification of Importation of Fruits, Vegetables, and Specialty Crops Required by the Agricultural Marketing Service Using the Partner Government Agency Message Set

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces a pilot test of the International Trade Data System (ITDS) involving the electronic submission of data related to importations of fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops regulated by AMS, using the Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set component of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). The submission of this information is required under Sec. 608e (section 8e) of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. The pilot program will test the electronic transmission of AMS data through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) program known as the Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set. This data will be transmitted for review by AMS' Compliance and Enforcement Management System (CEMS). CBP's PGA Message Set enables importers and brokers to electronically transmit data required by AMS directly to ACE. This electronic process will replace the paper-based process currently used. This notice also invites importers and brokers who are importing commodities subject to section 8e regulations to request participation in this AMS pilot and invites public comment on any aspects of the pilot.