Subject: Improperly Formatted ACE Ocean Manifest Data Resulting in Release of Confidential Data
CBP has received numerous complaints from importers/consignees regarding specific data
(namely, party/shipper/consignee name and address) that has been publicly disclosed despite their submitted requests for confidentiality in accordance with 19 CFR 103.31 (d). After thorough investigation, CBP has determined that this occurrence is the result of to the improper data entry by users and NOT CBP programming or systems error. The trade is reminded they are required to strictly adhere to the data formats in the Implementation Guidelines (IGs). As indicated in the IGs, the commercial party name fields must ONLY contain commercial party name data. Data transmitters are including “street address” data in the fields for “commercial party name." As a result, the name of the party stored in the ACE database is corrupted because it includes address data. This inaccurate party name data fails the confidentiality edits resulting in confidential business information being shared publicly. This inadvertent disclosure is tied directly to the way in which data is transmitted by users.
Carriers and other parties filing ocean manifest transactions MUST take action to ensure their software is correctly formatting this data. The commercial party name and address data fields are located in the CAMIR (records S01, U01, N01) and ANSI X12 (N1 segment). The ACE Implementation Guidelines can be found on the CBP website:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/ace_edi_messages/ace_guidelines/
Additional information was also provided in CSMS (08-000222), copied below for your reference, describing the process by which CBP discloses electronic vessel cargo information.
In accordance with Title 19, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 1431(c), electronic vessel cargo information provided to CBP via Vessel AMS is subject to public disclosure. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations at Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Section 103.31 (e) identify the following data elements that are made available to the public on a recurring basis through a subscription that is administered by the Office of Administration and the Office of Information and Technology:
Carrier code
Manifest quantity
Notify party name (1)
Vessel country code
Manifest units
Notify party address (1)
Vessel name
Weight
Piece count
Voyage number
Weight unit
Description of goods
District/port of unlading
Shipper name (1)
Container number
Estimated arrival date
Shipper address (1)
Seal number
Bill of lading number
Consignee name (1)
Foreign port of lading
Consignee address (1)
(1) Designates a data element which will be deleted where confidentiality has been requested in accordance with 19 CFR 103.31 (d).