CBP Announces Expansion of ACAS Pilot
In a Federal Register notice published on October 24, 2012, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced they are formalizing and expanding the Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) pilot, in which participants submit certain information for air shipments prior to arrival to identify high-risk shipments.

The notice explains that "CBP regulations implementing the Trade Act of 2002 require advance information for air cargo to be submitted no later than the time of departure of the aircraft for the United States (from specified locations) or four hours  prior to arrival in the United States for all other locations. The ACAS pilot is a voluntary test in which participants agree to submit a subset of the required data elements (ACAS data) at the earliest point practicable prior to loading of the cargo onto the aircraft destined to or transiting through the United States."

The notice includes information on the pilot description, eligibility requirements, application process, conditions to participate, and costs and benefits of the pilot participation.

The ACAS pilot will run for six months, starting on October 24, 2012. Applications to participate must be received by November 23, 2012, but comments will be received throughout the duration of the pilot.

The full text of the Federal Register notice can be accessed online here.

East Coast Trade Symposium Postponed
On October 26, 2012, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued CSMS #12-000436 announcing that the East Coast Trade Symposium, scheduled for October 29-30, 2012, has been postponed due to potential safety risks and possible travel disruptions caused by Hurricane Sandy.

The new date and location of the event will be announced by CBP in the future, along with registration information.

The CSMS is available online here.