CSMS Message: 09-000309

On Thursday, September 24, 2009, beginning at 2:30 PM (PDT), FDA will be hosting a meeting for local filers at the Port of Los Angeles Administration Building, 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, CA 90731. The primary purpose of the training is to provide an overview of FDA's new Import Trade Auxiliary Communications System (ITACS). FDA is soliciting voluntary participation in a pilot test of this system over the next several weeks. ITACS will allow filers to check the status of FDA regulated entries, electronically submit entry documentation to FDA, and provide shipment examination availability information.

For those filers who have not previously attended outreach on FDA's implementation of Predictive Risk-based Evaluation for Dynamic Import Compliance Targeting (PREDICT), a briefing will be provided following the ITACS training. PREDICT is FDA's new screening engine which will be piloted in Los Angeles ports starting next week. The focus of the briefing will be a discussion regarding the importance of transmitting appropriate Affirmation of Compliance codes and other data quality issues which will impact the expediting of lower-risk commodities.

Space is limited to approximately 100 and seating will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended that participants arrive by 2:00 PM, as security requirements at the facility can cause delays of up to 30 minutes. For information or questions about the facility, please contact Norman Arikawa at (310) 732-3838 or narikawa@portla.org. Questions about the training session can be directed to FDA's contact Laurel Eu at (818) 595-0016, Ext. 315.

Note: ITACS will be available to the trade located outside of the Los Angeles area in the future. Until further notice, trade outside of LA should not submit any documents or availability information as they will be inaccessible to FDA.