North American Customs Officials Discuss Mutual Recognition, Etc.
Customs officials from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada discussed various issues regarding the "state of the border" at U.S. Customs and Border Protection's 2009 Trade Symposium.
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Highlights of their remarks include:
Canada and U.S. Resolving Differences in C-TPAT, PIP; Mexico to Pilot Similar Program in 2010
CBP stated that it has been working with Canadian Customs to harmonize CBP's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program and Canada's Partners in Protection (PIP) program. Both the U.S. and Canada acknowledged that they are working to resolve differences between the programs, and Canada expressed optimism that significant progress on harmonization will be made in 2010.
Mexican officials stated that it is working on developing its own supply chain security program, which it expects to pilot in 2010. Mexico is expected to eventually seek mutual recognition with its trade partners at some point in the future.
Canada Considers "Single Window" Concept, Mexico to Develop Window in 2010
Canadian officials noted that it faces a number of important issues in the future, including the development of a single window to allow government access for trade. Officials from Mexico added that it expects to begin a project in 2010 to develop a single window for foreign trade in Mexico.
All Three Countries Discuss Use of Export Information as Import Information
In response to questions, Mexican customs expressed an interest in exploring how export information from one country could be used by another country as its import information. Both CBP and Canadian Customs noted that this is an important issue, but warned of challenges with issues such as privacy, data elements, and system compatibility.
Mexico is Working to Revamp its Customs Service, Become Paperless, Etc.
Officials from Mexico stated that it is working with the World Bank on a 4-5 year project to significantly revise the way it operates. As part of the project, the trade can expect to see changes to Mexican laws, regulations, structure, technology, etc.
In addition, Mexico is working to better train its officers, provide extended hours at ports, and be more predictable at its ports of entry. In addition, Mexico is working on becoming paperless.
Mexico Investing in Megaports, Has Created National Targeting Center in 2007
Mexican customs has been investing in technology for control and security purposes. For example, Mexico has invested in entry and exit controls at cargo ports (e.g., making its four main ports "Megaports" so that more than 85% of its maritime trade would be checked for radiation and other the problems), non-intrusive inspection systems, etc.
Mexican customs is also focusing its control and security efforts on improved intelligence, and noted the 2007 creation of its own National Targeting Center. Mexican customs has also signed collaboration agreements with other Mexican government agencies to improve the flow and use of intelligence.
Canada to Roll Out its Own e-Manifest System
Canadian Customs will be rolling out e-Manifest, and notes that it is trying to lengthen implementation timelines to reduce the impact on the trade in response to trade concerns.