U.S., China Sign Agreement on AEO Supply Chain Security, Etc.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and two government ministries of China have reached agreement on collaborative actions to enhance trade security and facilitation between the two countries. The two countries also signed an action plan on supply chain security partnership programs.
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Action Plan Covers Joint Validations of C-TPAT and China’s AEO Program, Etc.
CBP Commissioner Alan Bersin joined Minister of Customs Yu Guangzhou of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China in signing an action plan on May 9. The plan covers all aspects of the countries’ supply chain security partnership programs, including joint validation procedures. The action plan outline details specifics on which the U.S. and Chinese customs administrations will collaborate over the next five years.
Bersin stated that the agreement, covering CBP’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and China’s Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) supply chain security programs, gives them a good path to progress. He added that he looks forward to the implementation of this program of “mutual activity” and to another action plan that takes the two countries even further, adding that “every action is a prelude to further action.”
(While the U.S. and China are currently working on "mutural activity," CBP has signed Mutual Recognition Arrangements with New Zealand (June 2007), Canada (June 2008), Jordan (June 2007), Japan (June 2009), and Korea (June 2010). CBP officials previously stated that it was also working on MRAs with Singapore and the European Union. See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/12/10 news, 10031210, for BP summary.)
Also Signed MOU on Information Exchange, Cooperation, IPR Enforcement, Etc.
In addition, CBP’s Acting Assistant Commissioner for International Affairs, and China’s Deputy Director General of China’s Ministry of Public Security signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that addressed cooperation on many aspects of law enforcement, including information exchange, cooperation, training and technical assistance. Two critical enforcement areas will be intellectual property rights (IPR) and fraudulent travel documents.
(The Chinese Ministry of Public Security performs investigations, raids and seizures at the start of the supply chain at the points of manufacturing, warehousing, and transporting before illegal goods head for foreign markets.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/25/11 news, 11022521, for BP summary of CBP’s FY 2010 progress, which notes that it conducted a third round of Joint Validations with China Customs which laid the foundation for the signing of a Supply Chain Security Memorandum of Understanding in October 2010.)