In the October 2, 2015, Federal Register, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ("APHIS"), in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP"), developed a pilot plan to test and assess the International Trade Data System for the electronic submission of data required by APHIS Animal Care, Biotechnology and Regulatory Services, Plant Protection and Quarantine, and Veterinary Services for processing in the Automated Commercial Environment ("ACE"). The pilot test will use the APHIS Partner Government Agency ("PGA") Message Set and the Automated Broker Interface to transmit, and ACE to process, trade data required for the importation of plants, animals, and their products regulated by APHIS. Under this test, PGA Message Set data may be filed only at certain ports. Test will commence no earlier than October 2, 2015.

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