F-ace Rail
Imports/Exports | USA Rail ACE Filing

Flagship-ace Rail is a SaaS-based, hosted in the cloud, accessed, and used through any device with an internet connection. This system provides rail carriers with an automated interface into U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).  It provides full ACE compliance to CBP’s ACE requirements and 24-hour reporting rule.

Each F-ace Rail system is completely customized to the rail carrier’s specific requirements and is designed to integrate easily with their existing systems.

Data can be entered or edited manually, but this is not the preferred use of the system.  Generally, the data is received electronically from the rail customer and is automatically processed into their F-ace Rail database.  The data is automatically submitted into ACE.  All responses from ACE are then automatically processed back into the F-ace Rail database.

Customers can receive automated e-mails for any updates, as needed.  Some of these include status notifications of holds, broker notifications, FDA updates, consist processing, secondary notifications, etc.  Status updates can also be sent back to the customer’s originating system.

CBP Certified

Certified by the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to interface with their Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) for Imports and Exports.

Hightlights

Automatic Entry Processing  - The rail customer sends EDI-417 waybill files.  These files are automatically processed into the rail database and a bill of lading number is automatically assigned (calculated from the car number and the waybill date).  After the bill of lading is validated, it is automatically submitted to Customs (by sending an EDI-309 file – Customs manifest).

Automatic Response Processing - For trains entering the U.S. – U.S. Customs sends back an EDI-355 message (acceptance/rejection) and that is automatically processed into the rail database (and the bill status is updated and logged).  U.S. Customs also sends EDI-350 messages (Customs status information) with status updates.

Automatic Parties processing, Shipper, consignee, broker and other party information is automatically processed from the EDI-417 files.  Tables can also be used that will also automatically assign brokers for specific shippers or consignees.  Line release tables are also available.  These can be as specific or general, as preferred.

A variety of reports are also available.  The most common are Inward Train reports, Outward Train reports, Broker Entry status reports, Report of cars on-hold, Report of open In-bonds, FDA reports and Manifest Errors reports.  Customer-specific customized reports are also available.

Secure, AWS cloud infraestructure, Daily Backups, SSL encrypted tunnelling with login and password procedures and user-specific menus determine which options are assigned.

Imports and Exports - Modular applications to allow processing import and exports information into the U.S. CBP ACE system. Each application can be used as a standalone system or combined into a single application.

Rail advance interchange consist- The rail customer also sends EDI-418 (rail advance interchange consist) files.  These files are automatically processed into the customer’s rail database and the train ID is automatically assigned (calculated from the train symbol, a table in the system and EDA provided in the file).  After the consist is validated, it is automatically submitted to Customs (by sending an EDI-358 file – Customs consist information).

Arrivals and in-bond movements are also processed automatically.

Audits - Any actions are logged into the transaction log for every bill of lading and consist. Therefore a complete history is available.

MQ Message Transmission, secure data transmission connection to CBP via Cisco VPN/MQ Series.

Email Notifications We have automated e-mail processing lists for processing manifest documents, processed/rejected consists, EDI-315 messages (status details) from other carriers.  The customers can be notified automatically (via e-mail) of any problems or errors on their cars, containers or trains.