U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has introduced new automation and web-based tools designed to streamline how importers, brokers, and other trade account holders manage their accounts in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal. The updates, announced via CSMS #68966469, touch three areas of account administration: Trade Account Owner (TAO) reactivation, TAO lookup assistance, and ACE Portal account applications.
For importers and brokers who rely on ACE for entry filing, duty payment, and refund processing, these changes are intended to reduce delays caused by account access issues and inconsistent manual processing.
Faster TAO Account Reactivation
CBP has automated the reactivation process for Trade Account Owner accounts. When a reactivation request is sent from an email address already associated with a TAO account in ACE, the account will now be reactivated automatically. TAOs with inactive accounts should:
- Email ACE.Support@cbp.dhs.gov
- Include the word “reactivation” in the subject line
CBP notes that non-TAO users still cannot self-reactivate; their accounts can only be reactivated by their company’s designated TAO. Background on that process is available in CSMS #68510928.
Help Identifying a Company’s Trade Account Owner
Companies that are unsure who their TAO is now have a more direct path to find out. CBP has automated the lookup process so that:
- A request emailed to ACE.Support@cbp.dhs.gov with “Trade Account Owner Lookup” in the subject line triggers an automatic notification to the current TAO
New Web Forms for ACE Portal Account Applications
CBP has also rolled out dedicated web forms to replace more manual application and account-management workflows. Which form to use depends on the account structure:
- Importer Account Application – for accounts tied to a single Importer of Record (IOR) number
- ACE Portal Account Application Web Form – for Importer accounts with multiple IOR numbers
The same ACE Portal Account Application Web Form should also be used for the following common account-management scenarios, for all account types other than Exporter and Protest Filer:
What This Means for Your Team
These updates are largely administrative, but they matter operationally. Faster TAO reactivation and lookup reduce the risk of losing ACE access at a critical filing moment, while the new web forms consolidate what had been a patchwork of application processes into more predictable, trackable channels. Companies managing multiple IOR numbers or sub-accounts, in particular, should take note of the updated web form requirements the next time they need to add or modify account structure.
Alba recommends that clients confirm their current TAO is correctly identified and reachable, and that account information on file with CBP is up to date, to avoid disruptions during entry filing, refund processing, or other time-sensitive ACE activity.
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Answers • Solutions • Knowledge
Need help locating your company’s Trade Account Owner, reactivating ACE access, or navigating CBP’s new account application web forms? Alba’s trade compliance team is here to help. Contact Alba to get started.
References
- CSMS #68966469 – ACE Portal: New Tools and Automation for Account Management
- CSMS #68510928 – REMINDER: ACE Portal Account Owners Can Reactivate Account Users
- Importer Account Application
- ACE Portal Account Application Web Form
- CBP – Applying for an ACE Secure Data Portal Account
- CBP – Managing an ACE Portal Account
