The ACE Portal is the U.S. government’s primary digital gateway for trade compliance — the platform where customs entries are filed, shipment data is transmitted, and import records are managed. For anyone moving goods across U.S. borders, understanding how ACE works is not optional; it is the operational backbone of every legal import transaction.
What Is the ACE Portal?
ACE (Automated Commercial Environment): A web-based trade processing system operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that serves as the single window through which all trade data — entry filings, Importer Security Filings (ISF), export declarations, and partner government agency (PGA) data — is submitted to the U.S. government.
ACE replaced the legacy Automated Commercial System (ACS), which CBP phased out beginning in 2016. The transition was mandated under Executive Order 13659 (Streamlining the Export/Import Process) and CBP’s Trade Modernization Act obligations. Today, ACE is the mandatory filing platform for all formal and informal entries into the United States.
The portal is accessible at ace.cbp.dhs.gov. It covers a wide range of trade participants: licensed customs brokers, importers of record, exporters, freight forwarders, warehouse operators, and surety companies all use it — each with different access levels and roles.
As of fiscal year 2023, CBP processed over $3.2 trillion in trade value through ACE, spanning more than 36 million entry summaries. Nearly 1,200 partner government agencies — including FDA, USDA, EPA, and FWS — receive automated data through ACE as part of the single-window framework.
How the ACE Portal Works: Step-by-Step
ACE is not a single tool — it is a system of interconnected filing modules, report dashboards, and data portals. Here is how a standard import moves through it.
Step 1: Account Registration
New users visit ace.cbp.dhs.gov and authenticate using Login.gov, the federal identity service. CBP migrated ACE authentication to Login.gov in 2023. If you have an existing ACE account, you link it to a Login.gov credential. New users create a Login.gov account first, then register for an ACE Portal account, specifying their trade entity type (broker, importer, exporter, etc.).
Step 2: Entity Setup and Bond Filing
Before filing entries, importers of record must have a valid CBP bond on file. Continuous import bonds (the most common type) are filed through ACE by a surety company or customs broker. The bond covers potential duties, taxes, and penalties. Under 19 CFR Part 113, a continuous bond is set at the greater of $50,000 or 10% of duties, taxes, and fees paid in the prior year.
Step 3: Importer Security Filing (ISF) Submission
For ocean cargo, the ISF-10 (also called “10+2”) must be filed through ACE no later than 24 hours before the vessel departs the foreign port. This requirement is mandated under 19 CFR Part 149. ISF data includes supplier name, manufacturer, country of origin, HTS commodity code, and container stuffing location. Late or missing ISF filings trigger penalties of up to $5,000 per violation under 19 USC 1509.
Step 4: Entry Filing
When cargo arrives at a U.S. port, the customs broker (or self-filing importer) submits an Entry Summary (CBP Form 7501) through ACE. This form includes the HTS classification, declared customs value, country of origin, and calculated duties. ACE processes the filing and issues an entry number. CBP’s automated targeting system reviews the entry and may flag it for examination, hold, or release.
Step 5: Liquidation and Post-Entry Reporting
After release, CBP has up to one year to liquidate the entry — finalizing the duty assessment. ACE tracks liquidation status in real time. Importers and brokers can pull reports, monitor open entries, and respond to CBP requests for information (CF-28 or CF-29 notices) directly through the portal.
Step 6: Trade Reporting and Compliance Dashboards
ACE provides robust reporting tools. Importers can query their import history, duty payments, bond usage, and flagged entries. Customs brokers managing multiple client accounts can access consolidated dashboards across all filer IDs they manage.
Regulatory Framework: What Law Governs ACE?
ACE is not a voluntary system. Its use is mandated by a layered set of statutes and regulations.
19 USC 1484 — the foundational law requiring importers of record to file entry documentation for all goods entering U.S. commerce. ACE is the designated system for satisfying this requirement.
19 CFR Part 143 — governs entry summary filing procedures, including electronic submission standards through ACE.
19 CFR Part 149 — establishes ISF requirements for vessel cargo, including the 24-hour advance filing rule.
19 CFR Part 111 — covers the conduct of licensed customs brokers. Brokers who file through ACE on behalf of clients must hold a valid CBP license and a continuous broker bond. You can search all CBP-licensed customs brokers to verify a broker’s license status before granting them ACE filing authority on your behalf.
Executive Order 13659 (2014) — directed all U.S. federal agencies to use ACE as the single window for import/export data, phasing out duplicate agency-specific portals.
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) publishes regular guidance on ACE updates, system outages, and compliance changes that affect licensed brokers.
ACE Portal Access Levels: Who Gets What
Not all ACE users see the same data or have the same permissions. Here is how access levels break down across the most common trade entities.
| User Type | ACE Role | Key Capabilities | Bond Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Customs Broker | Filer / Trade Account Owner | File entries, ISFs, withdrawals; manage client POAs; access reports | Yes (broker bond, 19 CFR 113) |
| Importer of Record | Trade Account Owner | View own entries, pull duty reports, file directly if self-filing | Yes (import bond, 19 CFR 113) |
| Freight Forwarder | Filer (limited) | Submit export EEI via AES; limited entry access unless also licensed broker | No (for export-only) |
| Surety Company | Bond Filer | Submit and manage CBP bonds for clients | N/A |
| Exporter (AES filer) | AES submitter | File Electronic Export Information (EEI) through AES Direct | No |
| Government Agency (PGA) | Data recipient | Receive and act on PGA data flags (FDA holds, USDA permits, etc.) | No |
Most small importers do not need their own ACE account. A licensed customs broker files on their behalf under a Power of Attorney (POA), which grants the broker authority to act as the importer’s agent under 19 CFR 141.32. If you are unsure whether you need to self-file or work with a broker, browse brokers by specialty to find professionals who match your product type.
Real-World Scenarios: ACE in Practice
Scenario 1 — The E-Commerce Importer A small business owner importing consumer electronics from Shenzhen ships 800 units via ocean freight through the Port of Los Angeles. Her customs broker files the ISF-10 in ACE 48 hours before vessel departure, then files the formal entry summary on arrival. ACE routes the filing to FDA (if applicable) and CBP’s automated targeting system flags it for a random document review. The broker responds through ACE within 5 business days and the shipment releases. The importer never logs into ACE — the broker handles everything under POA. You can browse brokers by port of entry to find specialists working your specific port.
Scenario 2 — The Self-Filing Importer A mid-size furniture manufacturer with a dedicated logistics team imports regularly from Vietnam. They set up their own ACE account, maintain a continuous bond, and self-file entry summaries. Their compliance manager uses ACE’s reporting dashboard to track duty payments, monitor liquidation status, and pull quarterly import statistics for financial reporting. This approach works because they have internal expertise and volume that justifies the overhead.
Scenario 3 — The Broker Firm A 3PL with customs clearance capabilities manages import operations for 40 clients. Their licensed customs brokers maintain a single ACE filer account linked to all client POAs. When a client’s shipment arrives, the broker pulls the entry queue in ACE, classifies goods against hts.usitc.gov, files the entry summary, and monitors for CBP responses — all inside ACE. This centralized workflow is why experienced brokers can clear dozens of shipments per day efficiently.
Common Mistakes Importers Make with ACE
1. Confusing portal access with compliance. Having an ACE account does not mean your filings are accurate. CBP audits entry data — including HTS classification, declared value, and country of origin — independently of whether a filing was submitted. Under-declared values and misclassified goods carry penalty exposure under 19 USC 1592, which can reach four times the unpaid duties for negligent violations.
2. Missing the ISF deadline. The 24-hour-before-departure rule is frequently misunderstood. “Departure” means the vessel leaves the last foreign port, not when it arrives in the U.S. Importers who wait until their shipment is en route are already non-compliant. CBP issues ISF penalties in the range of $5,000 per violation — and unlike many CBP penalties, these are not typically mitigated to zero.
3. Incorrect Power of Attorney setup. If a broker is filing in ACE under a POA, that document must be properly executed before any filing occurs. A broker filing without a valid POA creates both legal and liability problems. Understand the core duties of a customs broker before setting up the relationship.
4. Failing to monitor post-entry notices. CBP sends CF-28 (Request for Information) and CF-29 (Notice of Action) documents through ACE. Importers who do not monitor their ACE account — or whose broker does not promptly relay these notices — may miss response deadlines, resulting in duty increases or penalties that are difficult to contest.
5. Assuming Login.gov issues equal ACE issues. Since the 2023 migration to Login.gov authentication, many ACE access problems originate at the Login.gov layer, not in ACE itself. If you cannot log in, verify your Login.gov account status at login.gov before contacting the ACE help desk (1-571-468-5000).
Tools and Resources for ACE Users
The following resources support accurate, compliant use of the ACE Portal:
| Resource | URL | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| ACE Portal (CBP) | ace.cbp.dhs.gov | Primary filing and reporting platform |
| CBP.gov Trade Resources | cbp.gov | Policy guidance, ACE updates, broker lookup |
| HTS Database | hts.usitc.gov | Classify goods before filing entry summaries |
| CBP Binding Rulings | rulings.cbp.gov | Precedent decisions on classification and valuation |
| AD/CVD Orders | enforcement.trade.gov/adcvd | Check for antidumping duties on your products |
| NCBFAA | ncbfaa.org | Industry guidance, ACE alerts, broker resources |
| International Trade Administration | trade.gov | Export compliance, trade agreements, tariff data |
For importers who are not ready to self-file, the most practical step is to find a licensed customs broker who already works in ACE daily. You can search all CBP-licensed customs brokers at CustomsBrokerIndex.com, filtered by state, port, or specialty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ACE Portal?
The ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) Portal is the U.S. government’s central online platform for processing trade data between importers, exporters, customs brokers, and CBP. It replaced the legacy ACS system and is now the single window for filing entry summaries, ISF filings, and trade reports. It is operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and processes over $3 trillion in trade annually.
How do I log in to the ACE Portal?
Go to ace.cbp.dhs.gov and sign in using your Login.gov credentials. As of 2024, CBP requires all ACE users to authenticate through Login.gov, the federal identity service. You must create a Login.gov account first, then link it to your existing ACE account or register a new ACE account after signing in. Login.gov requires identity verification with a government-issued ID.
Who needs an ACE Portal account?
Anyone who files trade documents directly with CBP needs an ACE account — including licensed customs brokers, importers of record, exporters, freight forwarders, and surety companies. If you use