Import trade auxiliary communications system

04/06/2012 11:38 am.
To Our Valued Customers,
FDA has announced the availability of the Import Trade Auxiliary Communication System (ITACS) for use by the import trade community. This system is being implemented in order to improve the flow of information received from FDA.
ITACS provides three functions: the ability to check on the status of an entry, the ability to submit entry documentation electronically, and the ability to submit goods availability information for targeted shipments electronically. As your brokers, we perform these functions on your behalf and will continue providing updates as usual but we want you to be aware of this new tool provided by FDA.
ITACS may be accessed at itacs. fda. gov1 and the presentation provides an overview and walkthrough of ITACS functionality.
If you have any questions, please contact Customized Brokers at 305-471-8989.

FDA ITACS - Import Trade Auxiliary Communications System.
FDA has announced the availability of the Import Trade Auxiliary Communication System (ITACS) for use by the import trade community. This system is being implemented in order to improve the flow of information received from FDA.
ITACS provides three functions: the ability to check on the status of an entry, the ability to submit entry documentation electronically, and the ability to submit goods availability information for targeted shipments electronically. As your brokers, we perform these functions on your behalf and will continue providing updates as usual but we want you to be aware of this new tool provided by FDA.
ITACS may be accessed at itacs. fda. gov1 and the presentation provides an overview and walkthrough of ITACS functionality.
If you have any questions, please contact Customized Brokers at 305-471-8989.
Add your comment:
The Magazine.
Connect With Us.
Sections.
Industries.
More Industries.
Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2017 Alaska Business Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

FDA Announces the Import Trade Auxiliary Communication System (ITACS)
FDA is announcing the Import Trade Auxiliary Communication System (ITACS) for use by the import trade community. This system is being implemented in order to improve communication between FDA and the import trade community.
ITACS provides the import trade community with three functions: the ability to check on the status of an entry, the ability to submit entry documentation electronically, and the ability to submit goods availability information for targeted shipments electronically.
Benefits to the trade include the ability to receive more detailed entry statuses than what is currently transmitted to filers via the U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Automated Broker Interface (ABI), reducing the need for phone calls inquiring about the status of entries, eliminating the need to mail or fax entry documentation and goods availability to FDA and no problems with lost documents.
Please note that the availability of goods for examination should not be submitted through ITACS until the shipment has been unloaded and is physically present for FDA staff to examine.
ITACS may be used by filers and importers with a current web browser and a valid CBP entry number. A presentation giving an overview of ITACS and how to use it is available at fda. gov/ForIndustry/ImportProgram/ucm296314.htm .
Source: CBP CSMS #12-000089.
5777 W. Century Boulevard.
Los Angeles, CA 90045.
Ph. (310) 645 9902.
Fx. (310) 645 9903.
© 2017. T Customs Broker Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Developed by Computesta.

FDA’s Import Trade Auxiliary Communication System (“ITACS”) Now Available.
With an increased number of imports entering the United States, new enforcement initiatives under such programs as the Food Safety Modernization Act, decreasing budgets and a limited number of employees, complaints about the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) from the trade community have been on the rise. One particular sore spot for the Agency is communications. In an era of text messages, tweeting, and instant posting of documents on the internet, the FDA was still sending and receiving its messages to and from importers and brokers through fax machines and paper copies.
All of that is starting to change now.
On March 14, 2012, the FDA’s Division of Import Operations and Policy (“DIOP”) unveiled its Import Trade Auxiliary Communication System (“ITACS”) to members of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (“NCBFAA”). According to FDA, the new ITACS system is being implemented in order to improve communication between FDA and the import trade community.
ITACS is an internet portal with three critical functions for importers:
The ability to check on the status of an entry/lines; The ability to submit entry documentation electronically; and The ability to submit goods availability information for targeted shipments electronically.
The importance of ITACS to the trade community cannot be understated. Using ITACS, importers and their brokers will no longer need to send or fax paper-versions of entry and goods availability documents to the FDA for their entries. This will reduce lost documents and help eliminate the uncertainty of importers as to whether their documents were ever received by the FDA. The automatic creation of an audit trail in ITACS means that the question of when a documents was sent and received by the FDA will no longer be in question.
ITACS is also beneficial to the trade community in that importers and brokers will be able to receive more detailed entry statuses than what are currently transmitted to filers via the U. S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) Automated Broker Interface (“ABI”) system. This will reduce the need for phone calls to the FDA district offices to check on the status of entries. (Also, no more waiting for the FDA to return your call either.)
Finally, ITACS should reduce the confusion between importers/brokers and FDA about the date and location of shipment availability information.
The trade community is not alone in welcoming ITACS on the scene. The new system also benefits the FDA in that it:
Enables FDA to focus its resources on expediting review of entries and focusing on completion of designated shipment examinations; Provides all FDA staff with easy access to entry documents via FDA’s Import system; Reduces the numbers of faxes, phone calls, and paper for FDA; and Eliminates the need to log information in FDA’s Import system;
In its presentation to the NBCFAA entitled “ ITACS: Overview and Walkthrough of Functionality ,” the FDA highlighted several important points about ITACS for the trade community to remember. First, the availability of goods for examination should not be submitted through ITACS until the shipment has been uploaded and is physically present for FDA staff to examine. Also, importers and filers with a current web browser and a valid CBP entry number may use ITACS. Finally, the FDA warned that there are currently some issues with file size capacity and that documents must be in PDF format to be uploaded. Also, ITACS will only display statuses for “open” entries. Therefore, if a final FDA admissibility decision has been made for all lines of an entry (e. g., a release), the entry will be considered “closed” in FDA’s import system and the importer or filer will need to check the ABI Messaging or Notices of FDA Action for the status.
We applaud the FDA’s move to improve communications between the Agency and the trade community. We are also looking forward to the future improvements to ITACS promised by the FDA, most notably, the direct, electronic transmission of Notices of Action to both the importer and its broker (versus the paper mailings and faxes that happen today) and the ability to perform online queries for FDA Firm Identifiers and Product Codes.
For more information about the ITACS system or for assistance with the importation or regulation of your food, drug, medical device or cosmetic product, please contact the Food & Drug Law practice group at Fuerst Ittleman at 305-350-5690 or contactfuerstlaw .
Quick Links.
Firm Profile.
Key Practice Areas.
News and Events.
Fuerst Ittleman David & Joseph, PL.
Fuerst Ittleman David & Joseph, PL, is a cutting-edge, results-driven law firm with extensive experience and knowledge of its clients’ businesses and industries. The firm was co-founded by business-minded attorneys who are recognized for their ability to anticipate and address the unique business challenges and opportunities their clients face. From the courtroom to the boardroom, the firm is noted for providing efficient, effective legal and business counsel that helps domestic and international clients in highly regulated and emerging industries achieve their goals. Its reputation has allowed the firm to grow based on referrals from its clients, other attorneys, and thought leaders in the industries in which the firm’s lawyers work. As more revolutionary ideas continue to take off, it’s no surprise that Fuerst Ittleman David & Joseph’s attorneys are at the forefront of these emerging markets. The cutting-edge, business minded law firm has the regulatory, commercial, and litigation experience necessary to help businesses soar. Its tax, wealth management and regulatory consulting practices make sure clients land safely, too. Representing consumers, stockholders, employees, and other groups in class action, qui tam, and multi-district litigation requires keen legal skills, extraordinary client management, and strong communication. The firm also has a proven track record of successfully representing clients in complex, high-stakes litigation in state and federal court and confronting a wide array of complex legal issues. The firm’s litigation attorneys work diligently with the best interests of their clients in mind, regardless of the number of parties involved or the complexity of the matter.