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What changed at U.S. Customs?
Every message from the CBP Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS), with a plain-English summary and Allied CHB's position. We add new messages every hour.
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CBP holds support call today on the Entry Type 13 mail test in ACE
CBP will hold a Post-Deployment Support Call today, October 7, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET on Microsoft Teams. The call covers the ACE enhancements that implemented the new Entry Type 13 Test for processing international mail shipments (INT-057 and CBP-290). CBP refers readers to its Information Notice for details on these deployments. Questions go to CBP's CREM or ESAR divisions, and technical questions go to the assigned Client Representative.
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This is an information call, and clients do not need to act. We file mail entries, including entry type 13, and the call does not change how we file them. Shippers and postal operators who want to hear CBP's explanation can join using the details in the message. Clients with questions about their mail shipments can ask us to review them.
CBP support call on the entry type 13 mail test set for September 15, 2026
CBP scheduled a pre-deployment support call for Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET on Microsoft Teams. The call covered the ACE changes for the new Entry Type 13 test for international mail shipments (INT-057 and CBP-290). CBP refers readers to its Information Notice on the Entry Type 13 test in ACE for U.S. mail processing.
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The entry type 13 test affects the mail entries we file, but this call needs no action from clients.
CBP's 2026 ACE user satisfaction survey closed September 11
CBP asked ACE trade community users to complete a voluntary, anonymous satisfaction survey about ACE. The survey covered users' experience with ACE's capabilities. CBP stated the survey would remain open through 11:59 p.m. ET on September 11, 2026.
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This survey concerned ACE users generally and did not require any action on entries we file. The survey window has already closed, so no action is possible now. Clients do not need to do anything about this notice.
CBP's 2026 ACE User Satisfaction Survey has closed
CBP asked ACE trade community users to complete a voluntary, anonymous satisfaction survey about the ACE system. The survey window ran through September 11, 2026. CBP said a higher response rate would give it a more accurate picture of user experience.
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This survey concerned voluntary feedback on the ACE system, not entry filing requirements. It closed on September 11, 2026, so there is no remaining action. Clients do not need to do anything about this notice.
CBP's ACE User Satisfaction Survey Closed September 11, 2026
CBP asked all Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) trade community users to complete a voluntary, anonymous satisfaction survey about ACE. CBP extended the survey deadline to 11:59 p.m. ET on September 11, 2026. The survey aimed to gauge user satisfaction with ACE's capabilities and experience.
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This survey does not affect the entries we file for clients. It was a voluntary CBP feedback request that has now closed. Clients do not need to take any action.
CBP reminded ACE Portal owners how to reactivate user access
CBP reminded Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Portal Trade Account Owners that they can reactivate Proxy Trade Account Owners and Trade Account Users themselves. The message listed the steps: log in as the account owner, use the Tools tab, select the user, and click Reactivate. It pointed to a CBP reference guide for more detail.
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This message describes a standard ACE Portal feature rather than a new rule, so it likely still applies today. It concerns account administration, not entry filing, so it does not change how we file entries for clients. Clients who manage their own ACE Portal accounts can follow these steps directly; others do not need to act.
CBP now sends automated alerts on container seal changes in ACE
CBP reminded trade that it deployed an ACE update on April 9, 2026, that automatically notifies carriers by EDI when CBP adds or removes container seals on ocean and rail shipments. ABI filers can query D2/D3 notifications for a bill of lading to see new container and seal numbers. This affects ocean and rail carriers and ABI filers.
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This update concerns carriers and ABI filers who track container seal notifications in ACE. It does not change how we file entries for clients, and clients do not need to take any action. If clients want us to check seal change records for a specific shipment, they can ask us.
CBP enhanced ACE truck manifests to capture ATA Carnet data starting March 2026
CBP announced that on March 24, 2026 it enhanced the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) to let trade users include ATA Carnet information in electronic truck manifest filings. CBP held a support call on March 31, 2026 to answer trade questions about the change. The message was aimed at carriers and other filers submitting truck manifests through ACE.
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This update affects truck manifest filings, not the formal, informal, mail or e-commerce entries we file for clients. We have no indication that later CSMS messages changed this ACE feature. Clients who move goods under ATA Carnets by truck and have questions about how this affects their shipments should ask us to review their specific movements.
CBP Reminded Importers to Set Up ACH Refunds in the ACE Portal
CBP announced that since February 6, 2026, refunds are issued electronically only, following an interim rule and a related executive order. CBP reported that more than 12,300 certified refunds had been rejected because recipients had not provided valid U.S. bank account information in the ACE Portal. The message reminded importers and other refund recipients with entry summaries liquidated since that date to enroll their banking information using CBP's ACH enrollment guides and training materials.
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At the time, this meant importers who had not added bank details to the ACE Portal risked having their refunds rejected. This requirement appears to still apply, since CBP later moved to electronic refunds through ACE for other programs as well. We recommend clients confirm their ACH banking information is current in the ACE Portal and contact us if they are unsure whether a refund on their entries was affected.
CBP added ATA Carnet data fields to ACE truck manifest filings starting March 24, 2026
CBP announced that on March 24, 2026 it enhanced ACE to let trade users submit ATA Carnet information as part of an electronic truck manifest filing. The update included EDI impacts and CBP published a trade information notice with details. The change applied to truck manifest filers moving goods under carnet.
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This update concerns carriers and filers who submit electronic truck manifests, not the entries we file for importers. It does not change how we file formal, informal or other entry types for clients. Clients do not need to take any action on this notice.
CBP made electronic ocean manifest filing mandatory for U.S. Virgin Islands ports
CBP announced that electronic submission of ocean cargo manifests through ACE became mandatory for all U.S. Virgin Islands ports of entry (St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John) starting March 7, 2026. The requirement applied to carriers, importing carriers, vessel agents, brokers, importers and freight forwarders. Non-automated manifest submissions were no longer permitted once the mandatory implementation took effect, though CBP allowed a limited transition period with enforcement discretion.
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This notice concerned ocean carrier manifest filing, not the customs entries we file for clients. We note the correct USVI port codes when we process shipments moving through St. Thomas, St. Croix or St. John. Clients do not need to take any action, since carriers and their IT vendors handle the ACE manifest submission directly with CBP.
CBP held support call on electronic ACH refunds and new ACE notify party feature
CBP announced that since February 6, 2026 it issues nearly all refunds electronically via ACH, following a rule published January 2, 2026. CBP also added a feature in the ACE Portal for importers to add notify parties. This message reminded the trade community of a support call held on February 11, 2026 to answer questions on the transition.
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This message covered CBP's move to electronic ACH refunds and a new ACE Portal notify party feature, and the call it describes already took place. If a client has not confirmed ACH refund enrollment in the ACE Portal, we recommend checking that setup, since it affects how CBP-issued refunds, including duty refunds, reach the importer. Ask us if you want help confirming your ACE Portal refund and notify party settings on entries we file.
CBP announced mandatory electronic refunds via ACH starting February 2026
CBP announced that beginning February 6, 2026, it would issue all CBP refunds electronically through ACH, with limited exceptions, under an interim final rule. CBP also improved the ACH refund sign up process in ACE and added a feature to add notify parties in the ACE Portal. CBP held a support call on January 28, 2026 to help the trade community prepare for the transition.
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This message is over eight months old. Later CSMS messages may have changed or clarified how CBP issues refunds, so clients should ask us about the current status of any refunds tied to their entries. At the time, the notice meant importers needed to enroll for ACH to receive CBP refunds after February 5, 2026.
CBP Reminded Trade of Mandatory Electronic Refunds Starting Feb 6, 2026
CBP announced that beginning February 6, 2026, it would issue all refunds electronically via ACH, with limited exceptions, under an interim final rule published January 2, 2026. CBP said it improved the ACH refund sign-up process in the ACE Portal and added a feature for importers to add notify parties. CBP held a support call on January 14, 2026 to help importers and other parties prepare for the transition.
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This message described a support call and enrollment steps for a transition that took effect on February 6, 2026 and is now in the past. Electronic ACH refunds are now the standard method CBP uses, subject to the exceptions CBP listed, so clients who receive CBP refunds should confirm they are enrolled in ACH refund payment through ACE. If a client has not set up ACH refunds or has questions about a specific refund, they should ask us to review their account status.
CBP added a notify parties feature for importers in the ACE Portal
CBP announced that as of January 2, 2026 it enhanced the ACE Portal so importers who are Trade Account Owners could add notify parties (CBP Form 4811 special address notification) under the Notify Parties tab. CBP held user readiness calls in January and February 2026 to help trade users with this and other ACE enhancements related to electronic refunds. The message affected importers who manage their own ACE Portal accounts.
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This feature let importers manage their own ACE Portal notify party settings and did not change how we file entries for clients. Clients who are ACE Portal Trade Account Owners could use this tool on their own if they wanted to add notify parties. Clients do not need to act now, and the informational calls CBP held in January and February 2026 have already passed. If a client has questions about their ACE Portal account or notify parties, they should ask us to review their setup.
The summaries and positions are general information, not legal advice. Always check the official CBP message, which each page links to.
Does a change affect your entries?
Call (908) 291-8001 or email info@alliedchb.com