CBP & Mexico Work on Single Entry, Northern Border Pre-Inspect Pilot Planned

CBP Update on Single Entry, Pre-Inspection, C-TPAT Mutual Recognition

According to CBP’s updates to the Subcommittee:

U.S. & Mexico still working on single entry concept, Canada also involved. CBP is working with Mexico on the concept of a single entry (particularly as it relates to exports into the U.S.) and to harmonize and reduce data elements¹. This task is being made more difficult because CBP is using NAFTA as the legal framework, which requires agreement with Canada too.

This work could eventually allow one country’s export manifest to serve as another country’s import manifest. Commissioner Bersin notes that they are not making as much progress on this as he would like, but it remains under discussion.

12 month time frame for pre-inspection pilot on Northern Border. CBP is on a 12-month time frame to launch a pre-inspection pilot on the northern border. The three sites are the focus of the pilot are Detroit-Windsor, Port Huron-Sarnia, and Buffalo-Fort Erie².

CBP working with Mexico on C-TPAT/AEO mutual recognition. CBP would like U.S. C-TPAT participants to participate in the Mexican “Alliance for Secure Commerce” (PACS, Mexico’s Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program) and an accelerated admission into PACS for companies that are already C-TPAT. Mexican Customs has reviewed the Canadian and others countries’ AEO security programs and has gathered best practices. CBP has worked closely with Mexican Customs and has offered consultative support and marketing support.

Subcommittee Working on 3PL Participation in C-TPAT, Increasing SME Participation

The COAC Subcommittee has been looking at the harmonization and expansion of partnership programs (C-TPAT and FAST) in order to make them more facilitative. The Subcommittee is also focusing on four specific areas: (i) how to strategically grow Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) participation in C-TPAT; (ii) 3PL, Cross dock and warehouse C-TPAT participation, (iii) C-TPAT Tier 3 for truck carriers, and (iv) determine where the Mexican PACS can be promoted in concert with C-TPAT.

Recommendations. The Subcommittee’s recommendations for CBP to grow SME participation in C-TPAT, expand C-TPAT, etc. include (partial list):

• 90 minute Webinars to help to help demystify C-TPAT

• Make minor adjustments to C-TPAT to improve benefits

• Advertise front of the line privileges that exist today, make sure ports are implementing operational efficiencies at the local port level

• Target companies enrolled in TSA, CPSC and FDA’s Supply Chain Security programs, Mutual Recognition programs, AEO, PIP, PACS, and pre-inspection pilots for Mexico and Canada

• Subcommittee to develop a strawman proposal on 3PL and Cross dock company C-TPAT participation

CBP to further brief. At the conclusion of the subcommittee’s presentation, Commissioner Bersin directed his staff to brief the subcommittee on a number of ongoing projects with Mexico and Canada, such as:

• Cargo express project (being planned with Canadian Customs)
• Work C-TPAT is doing with Mexico on its AEO security program, which will involve some elements of mutual recognition
• Santa Theresa/San Jeronimo pre-inspection project
• Pre-inspection project planned for Otay Mesa/Baja California, CA
• Pre-inspection project in Juarez and El Paso to permit trusted shippers (C-TPAT, PACS, PIP) to bypass ordinary ports of entry structure and procedures

¹Both the May 2010 U.S.-Canada joint declaration the December 2010 U.S.-Mexico Beyond the Border Declaration in December 2010 mandate work on Data Harmonization issues.

²CBP notes that the Canadian Customs (CBSA) and CBP pre-inspection dialogue has been folded into the Beyond the Border Working Group which has added a couple of layers of complexity to the dialog as CBP develop work plans and works to agree on language.

Subcommittee recommendations available here

Update on Subcommittee activities available here