Automated Commercial Environment

Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s primary electronic system that serves as the “single window” for importers, customs brokers, carriers and partner government agencies to transmit, process and track trade and cargo information for customs clearance, duty accounting, and regulatory compliance. ACE automates filings such as entry summaries, manifests, the Importer Security Filing (ISF), bond management, and communications with other federal agencies, enabling real‑time risk assessment, cargo release decisions, duty calculation and audit trails. Practical example: a customs broker uses ACE to file an entry summary for a container of imported footwear—submitting HTS codes, country of origin, commercial invoices and bond information electronically—and receives an ACE entry number and release status so the carrier can deliver the goods and the importer can pay assessed duties.