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."
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."
Being able to file a single customs declaration for all imports or exports in a given period is one of the few currently discernible benefits that companies would enjoy after implementation of a bilateral trusted trader framework pitched by the European Union in a proposal released March 21 on customs provisions in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (here), industry executives said in interviews over the past week. In addition to the single customs declaration, the proposal lists low documentary and data requirements, low physical inspection rate, and deferred duty payments as required trusted trader benefits, as well as provisions on customs single windows, though it lacks specifics on an EU de minimis increase.
The Food Safety Inspection Service recently provided guidance on procedures and requirements for importing egg products, in a letter to importers and customs brokers dated April 4 (here). The agency said it has seen a recent uptick in attempted imports of egg products from ineligible sources, possibly as a result of the effect highly-pathogenic avian influenza has had on the U.S. egg industry. FSIS has also seen an increase in egg products from ineligible countries or under incorrect product names, it said. The letter provides guidance on egg products under FSIS jurisdiction, misbranded egg products, foreign country eligibility, the import process, and enforcement provisions for ineligible or misbranded egg products that are not presented for reinspection.
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee will next meet April 27 in Washington, D.C., CBP said in a notice (here).