WCO Secretary General Discusses His Positions and Upcoming Priorities

Highlights of these positions and priorities are as follows:

SAFE Framework Essential as Customs Focus Has Shifted to Entire Supply Chain

According to Mikuriya, the WCO Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE Framework), adopted in June 2005, is essential because it has shifted the attention of customs from traditional imports to the entire trade supply chain, thus extending customs control to export.

(Among other things, the SAFE Framework aims to: establish standards that provide supply chain security and facilitation at a global level; enable integrated supply chain management for all modes of transport; strengthen cooperation between Customs administrations to improve their capability to detect high-risk consignments; etc.)

Concern Over U.S. 100% Scanning Mandate, Support for "10+2"

Mikuriya has stated that the U.S. has been putting pressure on the international customs community to take measures in addition to the SAFE Framework deemed to strengthen security, such as: (i) the legislation requiring all maritime cargo containers to be scanned before being loaded on vessels destined for the U.S. by July 1, 2012 (100% scanning); and (ii) the interim final rule requiring Security Filing information from importers and additional information from carriers (10+2) for vessel (maritime) cargo before it is brought into the U.S.

Mikuriya has reiterated WCO concern¹ over the 100% scanning mandate, as the WCO stresses a risk management approach, and has stated he will work with the incoming U.S. Congress and President on this issue.

However, Mikuriya has stated that the WCO supports and is ready to discuss the U.S. request to review the necessary data elements, such as "10+2" advance information, for inclusion in the SAFE Framework.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 08/08/07 news, 07080810, for BP summary of the 100% scanning of maritime cargo containers mandate.)

AEO Programs Should Remain Compatible with SAFE Framework to Facilitate Mutual Recognition

Mikuriya has stated that one of the pillars of the SAFE Framework is the customs-to-business partnership, embodied as the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) concept (such as the U.S.' Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)). However, Mikuriya cautioned that the many emerging national AEO-like programs should remain compatible and consistent with SAFE Framework standards to facilitate mutual recognition.

WCO to Continue Assisting Countries on SAFE Framework Implementation

Mikuriya has stated that in the past two and a half years, over one hundred customs administrations have been visited, analyzed, and given recommendations for implementing the SAFE Framework.

He added that the WCO will continue this work and is moving on to the implementation assistance phase with strategic planning assistance and donor interaction; technical assistance and advice on SAFE Framework topics such as AEO, risk management, non intrusive inspection technology and integrity; etc.

WCO to Address IPR Enforcement Standards

In addition, Mikuriya will work with the WCO's SECURE² Working Group which developed a document identifying 27 provisional (voluntary) standards in four key activity areas of intellectual property rights: IPR legislative and enforcement regime development (13 standards); cooperation with the private sector (3 standards); risk management and intelligence sharing (8 standards); and capacity building for IPR enforcement and international cooperation (3 standards).

Mikuriya has stated he will work to balance the different points of view that have been expressed on the scope of this document's application with the need to provide technical assistance on the document's standards.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 04/10/08 news, 08041040, for BP summary announcing that 34 developing countries intended to implement the SECURE program.)

WCO to Advocate Accession to Revised Kyoto Convention

Mikuriya would also like to promote accession to the Revised Kyoto Convention which has been open for accession since 2006 after 40 members of the original Convention completed the ratification process, thus allowing it to enter into force. Since 2006, 19 administrations have ratified it, amounting to 59 contracting parties, though a regional imbalance in accessions remains, especially from Latin America.

(The International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures, a revised version of which was adopted in June 1999 and now popularly known as the revised Kyoto Convention, is one of the major instruments developed by the WCO and provides for the simplification, harmonization and modernization of Customs procedures.)

¹In June 2008, the WCO released a study questioning the effectiveness of the U.S. 100% scanning mandate. In addition, in December 2007, the WCO and a private sector group issued a joint resolution opposing the U.S. mandate. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/13/08 and 12/18/07 news, 08061320 and 07121805, for BP summaries.)

²SECURE stands for provisional Standards to be Employed by Customs for Uniform Rights Enforcement.

WCO Secretary General speech on implementation of SAFE framework (dated 11/12/08) available at http://www.wcoomd.org/speeches/?v=1&lid=1&cid=10&id=111

WCO Secretary General speech on Strengthening the Fight against Counterfeiting and Piracy (dated 12/05/08) available at http://www.wcoomd.org/speeches/?v=1&lid=1&cid=10&id=118

WCO Secretary General speech on Accession to the Revised Kyoto Convention (dated 11/12/08) available at http://www.wcoomd.org/speeches/?v=1&lid=1&cid=10&id=112

WCO press release announcing that Mikuriya began his five-year term on January 1, 2009 (dated 01/01/09) available at http://www.wcoomd.org/press/?v=1&lid=1&cid=6&id=170