Automated Export System (AES) Program

Attachment C

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
AUTOMATED COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENT (ACE)
HOW TO APPLY FOR AN ACE EXPORTER ACCOUNT

OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE
VERSION 1.0
JUNE 2015

1

THIS EVEN PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK

2

Introduction

This document contains step by step instructions on how to:


apply for an ACE Exporter Account for new ACE
users



how to login for the first time ACE Portal users



how to create an Exporter Account for current ACE
portal users



how to request EIN data on AES Export Reports

Establishing an exporter account will facilitate access to ACE
Automated Export System (AES) reports that include access to
historical export commodity data. In addition, an ACE exporter
account will be required to access the AESDirect filing portal
once it is available later this year.
IMPORTANT: Requests to receive AES reports for specific EIN export
data are vetted through U.S. Census and not through normal ACE
channels. For general questions on ACE Trade Export Reports, please
contact Census at 800-549-0595, Option 5.

NOTE: For technical questions related to the application for an ACE
Exporter Account or ACE Trade Export Reports access, please contact
the CBP ACE Account Service Desk by calling 1-866-530-4172,
selecting option 1, then option 2, or email [email protected].

NOTE: For existing ACE Portal Account users, the Trade Account
Owner (TAO), the highest level of access for your company’s account,
can create the Exporter Business Partner (BP) Account, including
any EINs that are appropriate for exports, under their ACE Top Account.

Additional Training

The following links are provided for more information on available ACE
Training.
http://www.cbp.gov/trade/ace/reports-training-and-user-guides
https://share.dhs.gov/p5882fvet16/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&
pbMode=normal
http://www.cbp.gov/trade/aes

3

THIS EVEN PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK

4

Contents
Topic 1: Applying for a ACE Exporter Account for Non-ACE Account Users .................................... 1
Topic 2: ACE Initial Login Procedures for Non-ACE Account Users ................................................... 9
Topic 3: Creating an Exporter Account for Current ACE Portal Users ............................................. 15
Topic 4: Requesting Access to EIN Data for Export Reports ............................................................... 19

5

THIS EVEN PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK

6

Topic 1: Applying for a ACE Exporter Account for Non-ACE Account
Users
Introduction

This topic contains step by step instructions on how to apply for an
ACE Exporter Account for non-ACE Account users. The
application form, Apply for an ACE Exporter Account, is
located on the internet. The form is divided into three sections,
Corporate Information, ACE Account Owner, and Submit

To successfully complete the form, please make sure fields that are
required with a red asterisk (*) are filled in correctly.
Only U.S. and U.S. territory entities can apply for an ACE
Exporter Account using this form. For the corporate information
section of the form, the company name and Exporter
Identification Number (EIN) details are required for account
processing purposes. Once all of your information is provided and
before clicking the submit button you must check the terms and
conditions box and type in the characters displayed in the picture
box for security purposes. Then click the submit button.

IMPORTANT: All fields marked with a red asterisk (*)
are required and must be completed.

7

Table 1: How to apply for
an ACE Exporter
Account

Step
1.

Action
To access the CBP.Gov home page:
a. Launch Internet Explorer
b. Type: Http://www.cbp.gov/trade/automated

On the main page to the right under ACE Secure Data Portal
choose the Apply for an Account icon.

Select the Exporter link to display the application.

8

Table 1: How to apply for
an ACE Exporter
Account

Step
2.

Action
Select the text box to the right of the field to be completed and
type the information required. Fields with a red asterisk (*) are
required to be filled in.

NOTE: The ACE Account Owner information is
used to establish the role of the Trade Account
Owner (TAO) for your ACE Portal Account.

9

Table 1: How to apply for
an ACE Exporter
Account

Step

Action
IMPORTANT: It is important to provide the correct
email address in order to receive details on how to
attain your user id and password as well as other
CBP communication.

3.

Select the check box in the Submit form area to indicate that
you reviewed and agree to the Terms and Conditions provided
by the hyperlink. Also re-type the characters shown in the box
below, then select the Submit button.

NOTE: If the data entered on the web form does
not pass the various form validations, the
appropriate error messages will display at the top
of the form. The user has the ability to correct and
re-enter the data on the web form. The
appropriate error message will appear until all data
elements pass the validations.

10

Table 1: How to apply for
an ACE Exporter
Account

Step

Action
After submitting the form, the data will be
processed in ACE. There is a potential for an error
to occur. If so, you may receive one of the
following messages via email. Please follow the
instructions provided in the Email.
1: The EIN is already used by an importer or
exporter that is linked to a Top Account:
Subject: ACE Exporter Account application
rejected (EIN: **-****nnn).
The EIN specified on your ACE Exporter Account
Application is already in use.
Please contact your company’s ACE Account
Owner or contact ACE Account Service Desk
(telephone 1-866-530-4172 option 1, then option 2
or email [email protected]) for further
assistance.
2: Name+DOB is not unique in ACE table:
Subject: ACE Exporter Account application
rejected (EIN: **-****nnn)
The Account Owner name and date of birth, as
specified on your ACE Exporter Account
application, is already in use by an existing ACE
Secure Data Portal user. The combination of name
and date of birth must be unique for each Portal
user. Please contact the ACE Account Service
Desk (telephone 1-866-530-4172 option 1, then
option 2 or email [email protected]) for
assistance in establishing your ACE Exporter
account.
3: A system error occurred in ACE while trying
to process the form data.
ACE encountered a problem while processing your
application. If you received an email with your new
ACE Secure Data Portal account, please login and
then manually add your exporter account, if
needed. If you have not received the Portal
account email, please use the ACE Exporter
Account Application Web form to re-submit your
request. If you continue to receive this message,
please contact the ACE Account Service Desk
(telephone 1-866-530-4172 option 1, then option 2
or email [email protected]). Please
follow instructions provided in the appropriate
email.

11

NOTE: Once you submit your request, a “success” page will display
indicating that you have successfully completed the ACE Exporter
Account application process.

IMPORTANT: An email will be sent confirming the processing of your
application and providing instructions on how to access your new
account. Note: The email will provide an Account ID. This ID is also
known as your “shared secret” for use when securing your password.
You will use the Account ID and password you receive to access your
ACE Portal account.

Applying for ACE
Exporter Account

Step
4.

Action
After receiving your Account ID, write down your Account ID
and follow the instructions noted.

12

Applying for ACE
Exporter Account

Step
5.

Action
Select the Retrieve Password Page hyperlink.

NOTE: The Retrieve Password page will display.

6.

Select the text box and type your “Shared Secret“(Account
ID). The Account ID and User ID are one and the same.

7.

Select OK.

13

Applying for ACE
Exporter Account

Step
8.

Action
A temporary password is provided along with User Id; write
down the temporary password and select “Done.”

NOTE: When accessing ACE, the password is
case sensitive and must be typed exactly as
provided.

14

Topic 2: ACE Initial Login Procedures for Non-ACE Account Users
Introduction

After receiving your temporary password, the following
procedures provide a step by step for the initial login to the ACE
Secure Data Portal.
Table 2: Requesting an Export Account for Current Users

ACE Initial Login

Step
1.

Action
To access the ACE Secure Data Portal home page:
a. Launch Internet Explorer
b. Type https://ace.cbp.dhs.gov/
Once you log into ACE Portal, enter your User ID (Account
ID) and temporary password in the appropriate text fields
and select the Login button.

2.

You will be redirected to a page where you are required to set
challenge response questions in the case you must reset your
password.

15

ACE Initial Login

Step

Action

3.

Select the drop down menu for each challenge question (one
through five) and choose from the questions provided that you
will provide the answer.

4.

Select the first text box to the right and type the answer to the
question you selected.

16

ACE Initial Login

Step

Action

5.

Select the second text box to the right and retype the answer
to the question.

6.

Repeat steps three through five for question two through
question five.

7.

Select the Submit Questions button when completed.

17

ACE Initial Login

Step

Action
NOTE: Selecting the Submit Questions button will
open the Change Password page.. You can refer
to the “Password Policy” link to follow the rules
on how to create your password. Select the Close
button to continue. You are required to provide a
new password following these rules

8.

Select the *New Password text box and type your new
password in the first box.

9.

Select the *Retype new Password text box and retype your
password.

18

ACE Initial Login

Step

Action

10.

Select the Continue button.

11.

The Reset Password dialog box will display stating your
password has been changed successfully. Select the close
button. It’s important you remember your password to
successfully log into your ACE Portal account.

12.

Close your web browser and open a new browser
To access the ACE Secure Data Portal home page:
a. Launch Internet Explorer
b. Type https://ace.cbp.dhs.gov/
Enter your User ID and Password and select the Login
button.

The ACE Secure Data Portal will display.

19

ACE Initial Login

Step
13.

Action
Your Exporter Account information will display. This will
allow you to view your account information and will allow you
to request the ability to view trade export data in reports.
Please continue to Topic Four in this guide.

20

Topic 3: Creating an Exporter Account for Current ACE Portal Users
Introduction

For current ACE portal users (Importers, Brokers, etc.) who require an
Exporter Account, the TAO may create the Exporter Account under the
Company’s Top Account through the ACE Secure Data Portal.
The following step tables provide the procedures for creating an
Exporter Account within ACE.

Table 3: Creating an Exporter Account for Current ACE Users
Creating an Exporter
Account for Current ACE
Portal Users

Step

Action

1.

From the ACE Portal landing page, select the Accounts tab.

2.

In the Task Selector portlet, select “Exporter” from the Select
Account Type drop down and click “Go”

21

Creating an Exporter
Account for Current ACE
Portal Users

Step
3.

Action
Under Select Task, choose “Create Exporter”

You will be shown the details for the Top Account and then click
on “Continue”.

4.

Where prompted, provide your corporate information in steps
one through four and submit.

22

Creating an Exporter
Account for Current ACE
Portal Users

Step
5.

Action
Once data is submitted, saved and accepted by ACE, click on
the reset button in the Accounts portlet to enable the EIN to
appear in the Accounts list. You may then access your exporter
account by selecting the associated EIN from the Accounts list.
Note you may view the Accounts list by name or EIN.
Select the EIN radio button and click on GO to view the accounts
in EIN order or the Acct Name radio button to view by name.

23

THIS EVEN PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK

24

Topic 4: Requesting Access to EIN Data for Export Reports
Introduction

ACE Portal Account users who created an Exporter Account associated
to their Top Account:




Any Exporter EIN matching the existing Importer of Record
numbers in the ACE Importer Account will be automatically
authorized to have the EIN data appear in the AES Export
reports. The “Authorization for Reports” field on the Exporter
Account will reflect the status accordingly; thus those that
match will reflect “Authorization for Reports: Authorized”.
Any Exporter EIN that does not match an existing Importer of
Record (IR) number in the ACE Importer Account must request
EIN Authorization for Reports for the specific EIN(s). The
status of the “Authorization for Reports” field will initially
reflect “Not Authorized”.


NOTE: The “Authorization for Reports” status in the
Exporter Account details is initially set to Not
Authorized . This status will change to Pending upon

selection of the “Request EIN Reports Authorization”
button. The exporter must comply with the Census
request to provide additional account information before
Census will approve the exporter’s EIN for inclusion in
ACE AES Reports.




Once approved by Census, the “Authorization for
Reports” status changes to Authorized for the specified
EIN. If “denied” by Census, the “Authorization for
Reports’ status changes to “Denied” for the specific
EIN. In either case, both the TAO and the Requester will
receive emails regarding the approval or denial by
Census.
Note: These Request EIN Authorization for Reports
steps must be completed for each EIN in order for the
export data for that EIN to appear in the AES reports.

IMPORTANT: Requests for EIN Authorization for Export Reports are
vetted by U.S. Census and not through normal ACE channels. For
general questions on ACE Trade Export Reports, please contact
Census at 800-549-0595, Option 5.

25

Table 4: Requesting Access to EIN Data for Export Reports
Requesting Access to
EIN Data for Export
Reports

Step

Action

1.

From the ACE Portal Landing page, select the Accounts tab.

2.

In the task Selector box, select “Exporter” from the Select
Account Type View drop down and click on “GO”.

26

Requesting Access to
EIN Data for Export
Reports

Step

Action

3.

“Access your exporter account by selecting the associated EIN
under the Account Selector List

4.

Select the “Request EIN Reports Authorization” button

27

Requesting Access to
EIN Data for Export
Reports

Step

Action

5.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete paperwork
required by Census when requesting EIN data on Export
Reports.

6.

Once approved by Census, your Authorization for Reports status
will reflect “Authorized” and the following email will be sent to
both the TAO and the Requester:

7.

If Census denies the request, the Authorization for Reports
status will reflect “Denied” and the following email will be sent to
both the TAO and the Requester:
The US Census Bureau has denied a request for the inclusion of an EIN in
the export reports that are made available to the trade through the US
CBP ACE application. You are receiving this email as either the original
requestor or the primary point of contact for that EIN’s ACE Exporter
Account. If you have questions, please contact the Trade Outreach
Branch via e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at
1-800-549-0595, Option 5.

Training Links

Select the following link for more information on running ACE Reports.
http://www.cbp.gov/document/guides/updated-ace-reports-user-guidenew-interface-all-ace-report-users

28

THIS EVEN PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK

29