CBP Selects Four Broker Self-Assessment Pilot Participants
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a news release announcing that it has selected the four customs brokers for the Broker Self-Assessment Outreach Pilot Program (BSA pilot program).
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(In April 2009, CBP issued a general notice seeking volunteers for the BSA pilot program and providing details on the pilot. CBP officials said they were initially seeking four brokers for the pilot.
The BSA pilot program is intended to be a partnership program between CBP and licensed customs brokers and will utilize many of the self-assessment principles of the Importer Self-Assessment program while incorporating new methodologies that will provide a more flexible approach to promoting broker compliance. Its primary goal is to facilitate a higher level of broker compliance with CBP laws and regulations.)
26 Brokers Applied to Participate in Pilot, 4 Selected
CBP has completed its review of the 26 brokers that applied to participate in the BSA pilot program and four brokers were selected to participate in the year-long pilot.
Pilot Will Help CBP Determine Whether to Formally Implement BSA Program
The pilot will help CBP determine whether to formally implement the BSA program and what changes might be needed to ensure its effectiveness.
Under Pilot, Brokers Will Update, Improve Internal Controls, Etc.
Under the BSA program pilot, participating customs brokers will update and improve internal controls, perform periodic testing of these internal controls, and disclose to CBP deficiencies discovered through the testing.
(The BSA pilot is based on the ISA program announced in 2002. The ISA program has successfully facilitated trade by strengthening importer compliance with CBP laws and regulations and by building cooperative relationships between CBP and participating importers.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 05/01/09 news, 09050110, for BP summary of CBP listing BSA pilot program benefits, etc.
See ITT's Online Archives or 04/27/09 news, 09042710, for BP summary announcing that CBP is seeking applicants for the BSA pilot.
See ITT's Online Archives or 04/23/09 news, 09042305, for BP summary of CBP officials discussing the BSA pilot program at the recent NCBFAA conference.)
CBP news release (dated 07/29/09) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/07292009_2.xml