TUCSON, Ariz. -- Filing of Food and Drug Administration entries in the ACE continues its rapid rise, with the latest data from the agency showing a “high percentage” of filers using ACE and the number of entries filed in the system “drastically” increasing since January, said Dominic Veneziano, director of FDA’s Division of Import Operations, at the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America annual conference on April 19.
The revision process for CBP Form 5106 is “just about done” and the revised version of the form, the Importer ID Input Record, “should come out momentarily, said Brenda Smith, executive assistant commissioner of CBP’s Office of Trade, during the annual conference of the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America on April 19. The new version of the form has come out of “legal review,” and is back at the Office of Management and Budget “for a second round,” she said. CBP first proposed revisions to Form 5106 in 2014 (see 14100815) met industry criticism (see 1412090024), so the agency put out a revised proposal in July 2015 (see 1507240009).
TUCSON, Ariz. -- CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske plans to step down from his post ahead of the coming change in presidential administration, he said while talking to reporters at the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America conference. Kerlikowske didn't give specifics on timing, but said he would leave the position by the end of the year. Kerlikowske will focus on the implementation of customs reauthorization bill, among other things, during his remaining time at CBP, he said. After a lengthy delay, Kerlikowske became the first Senate-confirmed commissioner in about five years when he was sworn in during March 2014.
TUCSON, Ariz. -- The customs reauthorization law makes for an "exciting and perhaps challenging" time for customs brokers, CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske said during a speech at the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America conference on April 20. He pointed to new requirements that brokers collect information on new and foreign importers and CBP's ability to revoke licenses due to terrorist involvement, as well as other pieces that will have the biggest effect on brokers. Kerlikowske was scheduled to testify on the new law for a Senate Finance Committee hearing scheduled for April 20, but it may be postponed so Kerlikowske can attend the funeral of a recently killed border agent, he said.
The Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services celebrated recent progress in the effort toward ACE and the International Trade Data System in a joint April 19 letter to the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America. "Business users are currently filing approximately 92% of entry summary requirements in the Single Window and Cargo Release volumes have soared from low 40% figures to a record high of 70% in just the last several weeks," said Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas at DHS and Acting Deputy Secretary Mary Wakefield, Department of HHS. "The numbers reflect a significant uptick in adoption by many of the largest filers and active testing and engagement from thousands of smaller businesses," they said. The officials pointed to the process as proof of successful collaboration with industry and trade groups. "NCBFAA and other industry users have not only identified problems, but worked collaboratively with government agencies to develop and rapidly implement effective solutions," they said. Modifications to mandatory deadlines and added flexibilities for certain data elements are two recent examples of this partnership. It is clear that the engagement and expertise from the filers who will ultimately rely on the system remain one of the most critical elements of success. Deploying an effective ITDS remains a top priority for DHS and HHS "and for many other U.S. agencies and the Administration on a whole," they said.
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Implementation of new trade enforcement provisions of recently passed customs reauthorization legislation will not result in an overall increase in cargo exams, said CBP officials speaking April 19 at the annual conference of the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America. Though CBP is focused on creating its new Trade Law Enforcement Division tasked with issuing trade alerts (see 1602230080), as well as implementing new programs to apply risk assessments (see 1602170074), the agency’s overall goal is better targeted exams, not more of them, they said.
The Email Privacy Act (HR-699), which would require that law enforcement agencies get a warrant in all instances to access an American's private emails and other stored electronic content during criminal investigations, heads to a floor vote after a bipartisan House Judiciary Committee unanimously approved a substitute amendment from Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., at a markup Wednesday. Committee members didn't introduce any other amendment, approving HR-699 28-0.
The Email Privacy Act (HR-699), which would require that law enforcement agencies get a warrant in all instances to access an American's private emails and other stored electronic content during criminal investigations, heads to a floor vote after a bipartisan House Judiciary Committee unanimously approved a substitute amendment from Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., at a markup Wednesday. Committee members didn't introduce any other amendment, approving HR-699 28-0.
The Email Privacy Act (HR-699), which would require that law enforcement agencies get a warrant in all instances to access an American's private emails and other stored electronic content during criminal investigations, heads to a floor vote after a bipartisan House Judiciary Committee unanimously approved a substitute amendment from Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., at a markup Wednesday. Committee members didn't introduce any other amendment, approving HR-699 28-0.
The FCC proposal to impose stricter privacy rules on ISPs would create an uneven playing field, favoring edge providers like Google and Amazon, doesn't use an economic approach and needlessly would impose heavy security requirements to protect customer information that is essentially public, panelists at a Technology Policy Institute discussion said Monday. But Lisa Hone, FCC associate Wireline Bureau chief, said the FCC NPRM is still just a proposal. The commission expects "vigorous comment," she said. "From a staff perspective, we’re interested in hearing what works and what doesn’t work for customers and ISPs."