CBP Official Discusses CBP's Initiatives for Import Safety
At the April 2008 National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America's Annual Conference, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official spoke about the Action Plan for Import Safety1 and CBP's initiatives for improving import safety.
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Highlights of her remarks include the following:
Six Import Safety Action Plan Recommendations are CBP-Focused
The Action Plan for Import Safety contains 14 broad recommendations and 50 action steps. Of the 14 recommendations, six are CBP-focused:
- promote Good Importer Practices
- strengthen penalties and take strong enforcement actions to ensure accountability
- harmonize federal government procedures and requirements for processing import shipments
- complete a single-window interface for the intra-agency, interagency, and private sector exchange of data (the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)/the International Trade Data System (ITDS)
- create an interactive import safety information network
- strengthen protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) to enhance consumer safety
Highlights of CBP Key Roles/Initiatives for Import Safety
CBP key roles/initiatives for import safety include:
Make import safety a component of ISA. CBP is currently working with several importers to see how to incorporate import safety into the Importer Self Assessment (ISA) program. This will help CBP determine what constitutes "good practice" and which areas are "green" and "red" flags for product safety.
Revise bond guidelines. CBP is working to revise the bond guidelines.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 05/22/08 news, 08052205, for BP summary of CBP officials discussing bond improvements at the May 2008 COAC meeting.)
Accelerate ACE/ITDS. CBP is moving forward with the acceleration of ACE/ITDS with the goal of developing one single window where information will be shared.
Collaborate with other departments/agencies. CBP is working side-by-side with other agencies and departments to share information on audits, continue joint operations at ports, develop good importer practices, etc.
Share information with private industry. CBP is trying to develop a system to share information/findings with the private industry.
1In November 2007, the Interagency Working Group on Import Safety presented to President Bush its "Action Plan for Import Safety: A roadmap for continual improvement."
(See ITT's Online Archives or 11/09/07 news, 07110910, for Part II, the final part, of BP's summary on the Action Plan, with a link to Part I.
See ITT's Online Archives or 04/09/08 news, 08040900, for BP summary of CBP designating import safety as a priority trade issue.
See ITT's Online Archives or 12/04/07 news, 07120410, for BP summary Part II, the final part, of BP's summary on the ITDS Annual Report, with a link to Part I.
See ITT's Online Archives or 05/16/08 news, 08051600, for BP summary of CPSC seeking comments on a draft import safety strategy by May 30, 2008.)