Simplified Entry provides importers with the chance to file earlier in the process with a streamlined filing, which can be amended – a first-time feature for the Trade. Because the Simplified Entry can be filed earlier, this allows for an expanded window of opportunity to identify potential risks to CBP. The capability for filers to update information will result in more accurate data for CBP, thereby enhancing cargo security.

CBP announced the Simplified Entry pilot in December of 2011, and is set to deploy the Air MOT this spring. There are 9 broker participants in the pilot, including: A.N. Deringer, Inc., Expeditors, FedEx Trade Networks, FH Kaysing, Janel Group of New York, Kuehne + Nagel Inc., Livingston International, Page & Jones Inc., and UPS. Participants included a variety of Trade and CBP representatives, ranging from the staff to executive levels, which provided vital feedback at the sessions.

	Division Director Steve Hilsen of the Office of International Trade addressed Simplified Entry pilot participants and CBP at the Chicago Field Office.

“The benefits of co-creation are apparent when I look around the room and see all our stakeholders involved. I credit all of your hard work with getting us to this point, where the rubber meets the road on Simplified Entry,” said Brenda Smith, Executive Director of Trade Policy and Programs in the Office of International Trade (OT). Executive Director Smith gave opening remarks at the Chicago portion of the Simplified Entry meetings, and concluded with a continued promise for open lines of communication in the future. “This continues our fruitful conversations between the Trade and CBP on Simplified Entry, which is one of our top Trade Transformation initiatives.”

Steve Hilsen, Division Director in OT, kicked off the meetings with an emphasis on how CBP will proceed with piloting the Simplified Entry concept. “We are not going to assume that things are going to flow perfectly,” Mr. Hilsen cautioned. “Due to the complexity of the supply chain, I fully expect challenges when piloting this concept. However, we hope to find success in resolving those issues from the strong foundation we have built with our broker participants, and the importers they represent.”

CBP expects the expansion of the pilot to go “slow and steady”. “We intend to be very circumspect in how we implement this pilot,” said Gary Schreffler, Cargo Control and Release Branch Chief in the Office of Field Operations (OFO). “We want to make sure we get things right before we move forward with an ‘all systems go’ operation.”

Beyond the pilot, the future of Simplified Entry includes some exciting progress on the Participating Government Agency (PGA) message set, which is set to be incorporated in future deployments once the pilot gets underway. This will further enhance CBP’s efforts to provide “one-stop” service at the border.