CBP Posts Additional Question and Answers from the November 2005 Trade Symposium (Part I)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted an updated version of its list of answers to questions submitted by the trade community at its November 2005 Trade Symposium. This updated version contains answers to 20 new questions, etc.
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This is Part I of a multi-part series of summaries of these updated Q&As, and highlights some of the 20 new questions. See future issues of ITT for additional summaries. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/26/06 and 03/22/06 news, 06032240 1 and 06012605 for BP summaries of CBP's prior postings of additional questions and answers from the Trade Symposium.)
CBP Adds 20 New Q&As on WCO Framework
The following are highlights from the 20 new questions answered by CBP regarding the World Customs Organization's (WCO's) Framework:
How will the WCO Framework initially impact the trade's data/paperwork? CBP states that once implementation of the WCO Framework is under way, the trade should benefit from initiatives by other customs administrations to implement infrastructure that will enable them to receive advance electronic cargo information, which will facilitate customs clearance and ultimately reduce administrative costs. The first step toward this goal will be the adoption of the international data standards of the WCO Data Model.
Will adoption of ISO 28000/28001 gain a company C-TPAT Tier 3 status? CBP states that ISO 28000/1 was developed to help businesses implement practices and procedures to promote security management practices (ISO 28001) and improve supply chain security. However, compliance with these publicly available specifications will not necessarily make a company Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) compliant. The WCO Framework criteria for Authorized Economic Operators, which are currently under development, will provide global minimum-security criteria for businesses seeking tangible benefits through national Customs-Business supply chain security partnership programs. ISO 28000/28001 will be no means replace CBP validation to gain Tier 3 status.
Will foreign suppliers in the WCO program require further review or validation for C-TPAT business partner validation? CBP states that the WCO Framework calls for the creation of national Customs-Business partnerships, with validation of Authorized Economic Operators carried out by national customs authorities. In the U.S., C-TPAT is the national Customs-Business partnership program that will meet the requirements of Pillar 2, Customs-Business Partnerships, of the WCO Framework.
What is the purpose of the WCO Framework seal integrity program appendix? CBP states that Appendix 1, Seal Integrity Programme for Secure Container Shipments, to Annex 1, Customs-Customs Network Arrangements, of the WCO Framework clarifies cross-cutting responsibilities for all parties that handle or are in possession of containers in the supply chain for ensuring that container seals are not tampered with, replaced or removed as containers move through the supply chain and particularly as custody of containers changes within the supply chain.
How will high-risk cargo be determined from country to country? CBP states that high-risk cargo will be determined based on standardized risk assessment criteria established and applied in a uniform manner by each country that has committed to WCO Framework implementation. According to CBP, the precise nature of such criteria are of a confidential nature and within the purview of each national customs administration.
How will the WCO ensure that all EU Member States approach the implementation of the WCO Framework in a standard, consistent manner?CBP states that the Director General for the Taxation and Customs Union Directorate (TAXUD) of the European Commission has expressed his support for implementation of the Framework to the CBP Commissioner. CBP is working closely and cooperatively with the European Union (EU) both multilaterally through the WCO on implementation of the WCO Framework and bilaterally on implementation of similar requirements under the US-EU Joint Customs Cooperation Committee. This Committee was established in April 2004 with the signing of the Agreement on Mutual Exchange of Information and Assistance between the United States and EC. The WCO High Level Strategic Group is monitoring implementation of the WCO Framework to ensure consistency and harmonization.
CBP's updated Q&A (dated 04/10/06) available at