As one of the key agencies responsible for border security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), recognizes that the need to provide greater security to America's borders and the ever-increasing volume of trade both require that CBP modernize its business operations and information technology.

In early 2001, Customs embarked on a multi-year effort to modernize commercial processing with the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). The ACE is being designed to support the global supply chain and enhanced border security efforts. A key function of ACE is to arm CBP personnel with the tools and information they need to decide, before a shipment reaches the border, what should be targeted because it is high risk, and what should be expedited because it complies with U.S. laws.

Current systems and ACE will initially operate at the same time to ensure there is no degradation in CBP operations. The ACE will access existing systems to retrieve data. The transition is a carefully planned, phased process that will enable CBP to verify operability of ACE before transitioning functions from ACS and other systems to ACE.

Find out more about CBP modernization activities at cbp.gov.

Besides ACE certification, ABF^® also operates with C-TPAT/FAST certification. C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) is a joint government-business initiative also administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. FAST (Free And Secure Trade) is a joint Canada-U.S. initiative to enhance security while also allowing rapid cross-border movement of pre-approved shipments. Ultimately, these programs will be merged into the ACE program.

In addition to its involvement in government-based security initiatives, ABF also operates a security program spearheaded by 16 regional security managers strategically located throughout the carrier’s North American system. Each security manager is a former law enforcement official.

Find out more about ABF’s safety and security programs at abf.com.

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