ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) is the online portal for reporting export and import data to the U.S. government.
Managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), ACE serves as the mandatory, primary system through which the U.S. government collects, tracks, and processes all data related to goods entering or leaving the United States.
ACE is the central hub for the entire trade community, including customs brokers, importers, exporters, freight forwarders, and carriers. It is used to submit all required documentation and data electronically, in the “single window” for international trade that helps streamline and automate what was once a paper-intensive process.
Key ACE Functions in the U.S.
Import Filings
Importers and brokers use ACE to file electronic cargo manifests, Importer Security Filings (ISF 10+2), and customs entries (like the CBP Form 7501).
Export Filings
ACE is the portal used to file Electronic Export Information (EEI) via the Automated Export System (AES), which is integrated within the ACE platform.
Partner Government Agency (PGA) Integration
ACE connects CBP with dozens of other government agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The PGA Message Set, a standardized way of communication with agencies, allows filers to submit data once to satisfy the regulatory requirements of multiple agencies at the same time.
Data Management
The system includes the ACE Secure Data Portal, which allows trade participants to access and manage their transaction data, track shipment status, and run reports.
The full implementation of ACE modernized U.S. trade processing, enhancing border security by providing CBP with more accurate and timely data to identify high-risk shipments while accelerating the clearance of legitimate cargo.