Nov. 1 is the next looming benchmark for a new electronic system designed to facilitate the import and export of goods in the United States.

Nelly Yunta, vice president of Florida-based Customized Brokers, said that on this date the trade community will be required to use Customs and Border Patrol’s Automated Customs Environment for all electronic cargo release and related entry summary filing. The Nov. 1 benchmark is the second in the three-step process to fully implement ACE as the single window for filing electronic data in lieu of legacy systems.

The customs house is owned by Crowley Maritime Corporation, and Yunta said Customized Brokers provides services to its customers in the Port of Miami and Port Everglades as well as handling ocean cargo in ports in California and Michigan.

“The government agencies have been working on this for a long time to get it going,” she told The Produce News. “In the future, they will all see the same documents. We truly expect this is going to be good. The agencies have done a good job in promoting the single window.”

According to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, “ACE features modernize and streamline trade processing across all sectors. ACE capabilities cover manifest, cargo release, post release, export and partner government agencies.”

ACE will be fully implemented on Oct. 1, 2016.

Yunta said there will undoubtedly be some glitches in the program as it comes online. But she feels assured customs and inspection processes, and ultimately the company’s customers, will benefit from the implementation and streamlining of the customs clearing process.

She was asked how Customized Brokers is working toward implementation. “Systems had to be upgraded. Software had to be upgraded,” she replied.

Some companies were able to use the system on a trial basis during July.

“We’re going to be able to start testing soon to iron out any design issues,” she stated, adding the testing is important, given the perishable nature of fresh commodities such as Peruvian asparagus. “We have people dedicated to handling asparagus 24/7,” she continued. “Asparagus is a good source of revenue for the company.”

Customized Brokers prides itself on attention to detail and recognizes the importance of exceptional customer service. Services can be bundled at the company’s cold storage facility, making it easier for importers who want to turn over the entire product entry process. Customized Brokers can unload Peruvian asparagus from ships or air containers, move it through the fumigation process, cool the produce down and handle paperwork.

Yunta said one of the company’s strengths is to work with clients individually to ensure their needs are fully met.

The outcome of a proposal to impose a new agricultural quarantine inspection fee is still uncertain. “We are hoping the fumigation fee will be reconsidered,” Yunta told The Produce News. The company is a member of the Peruvian Asparagus Importer’s Association which has lobbied to eliminate the fee.