US, NZ Sign Arrangement on Global Trade (Could Result in Mutual Recognition of Supply Chain Programs)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. and New Zealand signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement at the 109th/110th World Customs Organization Council Sessions held in Brussels, Belgium to assist the two nations in safeguarding global trade.
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According to CBP, this is a major step toward implementing the customs-to-business pillar of the WCO's Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE Framework) and is the first such arrangement entered into since the adoption of the SAFE Framework in June 2005.
(American Shipper has reported that the WCO's SAFE Framework encourages customs agencies to establish cargo security partnerships with industry with the goal that membership in one program would qualify for customs benefits in another country.)
Closer Cooperation Between C-TPAT and New Zealand's Secure Exports Scheme
CBP states that the arrangement will provide for closer cooperation and coordination between CBP's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program and the New Zealand Customs Service's Secure Export Scheme.
(New Zealand's Secure Exports Scheme is a voluntary arrangement in which goods exported by New Zealand program participants are packed and transported securely, without interference, to the place of shipment.)
Mutual Recognition of Each Country's Supply Chain Security Program (e.g., C-TPAT) Possible
CBP states that once the two countries establish the compatibility of the membership levels between their supply chain programs, each country would be expected to treat members of the other country's program in a comparable manner.
CBP adds that mutual recognition by U.S. and New Zealand customs administrations of their respective customs-to-business partnerships will benefit both industry and government. For industry, the benefits could include reduced costs of doing business, among other things.
CBP Trying to Develop Mutual Recognition Regimes with Jordan, EU, Etc.
In his recent appearance at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, CBP Commissioner Basham stated that CBP is actively engaged with Jordan and the European Union (EU) in developing mutual recognition regimes. Basham noted that Japan and Canada have also expressed interest in the concept.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 07/03/07 news, 07070399 2, for previous BP summary announcing that the U.S. and New Zealand had signed the arrangement. See ITT's Online Archives or 02/20/07 news, 07022099 1, for BP summary announcing that the U.S. and New Zealand may become the first to reach "mutual recognition" status.)
CBP press release (dated 06/29/07) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/06292007_2.xml
Basham's speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (dated 07/11/07) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/commissioner/speeches_statements/commish_remarks_csc.xml
American Shipper (Pub 06/27/07) www.americanshipper.com