ACE In Bond (CBP Shipment Type)
| This article is part of the BorderConnect Shipment Type Guide and the BorderConnect ACE Manifest Guide |
This guide explains how to create a carrier-filed ACE In-Bond shipment using BorderConnect ACE Manifest software. It assumes that you have an active ACE Manifest subscription with BorderConnect.
Normally, when goods move in bond into or through the United States, the bond information may be submitted by a customs broker through the Automated Broker Interface. This is commonly known as a QP in-bond. Under ACE eManifest, a bonded carrier can also file the in-bond information as part of the manifest by providing the additional bond information in BorderConnect. This is known as an ACE in-bond.
Before filing an ACE in-bond, confirm whether the customer requires a broker-filed bond or whether a broker has already filed a bond for the same shipment. Do not file a duplicate ACE in-bond for a shipment that is already being filed by another party.
Current CBP In-Bond Requirements
CBP's in-bond process is electronic. In-bond arrival, export, and most updates must be reported through a CBP-approved EDI system rather than by presenting a paper CBP Form 7512 for those functions.<ref name="cbp-faq">CBP, In-Bond Regulatory Changes Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/ports-entry/cargo-control/bond/bond-regulatory-changes-faqs</ref><ref name="ecfr18">19 CFR Part 18, Transportation in Bond and Merchandise in Transit. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-19/chapter-I/part-18</ref>
| Requirement | What it means |
|---|---|
| Electronic arrival reporting | Arrival of an in-bond shipment must be reported electronically within two business days after arrival at the destination port or port of exportation. The arrival report must include the FIRMS Code for the location of the goods.<ref name="ecfr18" /> |
| Electronic export reporting | For Transportation and Exportation movements, export must be reported electronically within two business days after the goods leave the United States or exportation is otherwise completed.<ref name="ecfr18" /> |
| Electronic diversions and updates | Changes to in-bond information, including destination or export changes, must be updated electronically within the required CBP timeframe.<ref name="ecfr18" /> |
| Maximum in-transit time | Most in-bond movements must be delivered to CBP at the destination or exportation port within 30 days. Barge movements have a longer maximum transit time under 19 CFR Part 18.<ref name="ecfr18" /> |
| Paper 7512 copies | A printed 7512 may still be useful for drivers, customers, or internal records, but electronic reporting is what updates the in-bond status with CBP. |
Before You Start
To file your own ACE in-bonds, you must be a bonded carrier. CBP bond information and general bond guidance are available from CBP.<ref name="cbp-bonds">CBP, Bonds General Guidelines. https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Bonds%20General%20Guidelines.pdf</ref>
You will also need in-bond entry numbers. These are unique numbers provided by CBP and assigned to each bond. To obtain in-bond entry numbers, you can contact BorderConnect consulting or contact the CBP port where you usually cross and ask for the in-bond desk.
Once you have been issued in-bond entry numbers, it is recommended that you create in-bond number sequences in BorderConnect so the numbers can be tracked and used only once.
Creating the ACE In-Bond Shipment
Start the ACE eManifest as normal. When you create the shipment, select ACE In-Bond for the shipment type. You will still need to enter a unique Shipment Control Number.
After clicking Save, the ACE Shipment Details Page will show an In-Bond Information section. Click Assign In-Bond Information in that section.
The Assign In-Bond Information page is where most of the bond request is entered. Use the legend on the page to identify which fields are required for the selected in-bond type.
| Field | How to complete it |
|---|---|
| In-Bond Entry Type | Select the type of in-bond movement requested. Immediate Transportation allows delivery to a bonded location such as a warehouse or CBP-controlled port. Transportation and Exportation is used when goods move through the United States and are destined for another country. The customer normally determines the entry type. BorderConnect does not currently support Immediate Export for ACE in-bonds. |
| Paperless In-Bond Number | Normally left blank for highway carriers. |
| Paper In-Bond Number | Enter the 9-digit in-bond entry number supplied by CBP. Each number should be used only once. |
| U.S. In-Bond Destination | Enter the inland CBP port where the goods are moving in bond. This should be the far-side U.S. destination of the bond, not the port of arrival. Typing the U.S. city name will bring up matching ports to select. |
| Foreign In-Bond Destination | Used only for Transportation and Exportation movements. Leave blank for other in-bond types. This is the destination outside the United States after export. |
| Onward Carrier SCAC | Used when another carrier will take responsibility for the movement. This is normally left blank. |
| Bonded Carrier IRS# | Enter the IRS number that CBP has associated with your bonded carrier status. BorderConnect remembers previously used IRS numbers so they can be selected again later. Stored IRS numbers can be managed under the Manage Data menu by selecting ACE Bonded Carrier IRS Numbers. |
| Estimated U.S. Departure Date | Used only for Transportation and Exportation movements. Leave blank for other in-bond types. |
| Subject to FDA | Indicate whether the goods require FDA prior notice. |
After completing the in-bond information, click Save. You can then enter shipper and consignee information as normal.
Adding Commodity Information
Next, click Create Commodity. ACE in-bond shipments include additional commodity fields.
For all in-bond types, enter the dollar value of the shipment in USD. For Transportation and Exportation movements, also enter the Harmonized Code, which is the first 6 digits of the commodity's Harmonized Tariff Schedule classification. Enter the code in 6-digit format without decimals.
If the Harmonized Code is not available on the paperwork, consult the customer or their broker before filing. Classification can be difficult and requires training. Country of origin is not required for ACE in-bond commodity details.
Once the commodity is saved, the bond is ready to be created automatically in ACE when the complete ACE eManifest is submitted to CBP.
If you or your customer need a printed copy, use the Print CBP Form 7512 button on the ACE Shipment Details Page.
Reporting In-Bond Arrival
When the bonded shipment first enters the United States and CBP authorizes it to proceed, the in-bond movement is opened. The eManifest history may show a message similar to:
In-bond Movement Authorized; bill of lading open: Shipment [AAAA6575589], Quantity [4320], Entry Number [123456789], Port [3801]
When the shipment arrives at its final in-bond destination in the United States, arrival must be reported to CBP electronically within two business days. In BorderConnect, open the ACE Shipment Details Page for the in-bond shipment and choose Send In-Bond Arrival Message under Shipment Only Send to CBP.
On the Send In-Bond Arrival Message page, enter the required arrival details before transmitting the message to CBP.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| FIRMS Code | Search for the FIRMS Code of the destination facility. You can search by the four-character FIRMS code, the facility name, or the address. |
| In Bond Arrival Date | Enter the date the bonded shipment arrived at the warehouse or destination location. |
| In Bond Arrival Time | Enter the time the bonded shipment arrived at the warehouse or destination location. |
The shipment history may show messages similar to:
In-Bond Arrival message for Shipment [AAAA6575589] Port [4320], Arrival Date [04/25/2017 09:00 PM] sent to CBP by Demo User
Arrival of in-bond - bill of lading: Shipment [AAAA6575589], Quantity [4320], Entry Number [123456789]
For Immediate Transportation in-bonds, reporting arrival is normally all that is required to close the bond.
Exporting a Transportation and Exportation In-Bond
For Transportation and Exportation in-bonds, you may also need to report export. Make sure the bond is already in arrived status and that the export has physically taken place before sending the export message.
From the shipment page, select Send In-Bond Export Message under Shipment Only Send to CBP.
On the export page, enter the date and time that the goods left the United States.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| In Bond Export Date | Enter the date the bonded shipment left the United States. |
| In Bond Export Time | Enter the time the bonded shipment left the United States. |
After the message is accepted by CBP, the history may show a response similar to:
Export of in-bond - bill of lading: Shipment [AAAA040329], Quantity [2040]
This response confirms that the bond is closed and the bonded shipment is en route to its foreign destination.
In-Bond Flowchart
The chart below provides a visual representation of how bonds work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Video Tutorials
References
<references />