CBP Issues Proposed Rule on Sharing of Client Records by Brokers
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a proposed rule to amend 19 CFR Part 111 pertaining to the obligations of customs brokers to keep clients’ information confidential.
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Written authorization for sharing with affiliates. The proposed amendment would allow brokers, upon the client’s consent in a written authorization, to share client information with affiliated entities related to the broker so that these entities may offer non-customs business services to the broker’s clients.
Use of 3rd parties for client records. The proposed amendment would also allow customs brokers to use a third-party to perform photocopying, scanning, and delivery of client records for the broker.
CBP states that these proposed changes are intended to update the regulations to reflect modern business practices, while protecting the confidentiality of client (importer) information. In addition, the proposed changes would align the regulations with CBP’s previously published rulings concerning brokers’ confidentiality of client information.
Comments are due by December 27, 2010
CBP contacts-
for legal aspects: Carrie Owens (202) 325-0266
for operational aspects: Anita Harris (202) 863-6069
(See future issue of ITT for details of CBP’s proposed rule.)