The eventual addition of other government agency (OGAs) data within the Importer Security Filing program is a realistic possibility, but much would be required before that happens, said Rich DiNucci, acting assistant commissioner for the CBP Office of Field Operations. DiNucci, who spoke Nov. 6 at a Coalition of New England Companies for Trade (CONECT) event, said while OGA involvement seems to be the direction the program is headed, there's still some big impediments in the way. DiNucci said he expects the government to someday look at how "you combine these data sets so you can use them cross-agency," but that's "going to be a long, long discussion."
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The timeframe for a Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) component for exporters remains in flux as problems with hardware forced the delay of a C-TPAT portal update, said George Rudy, CBP supervisor of C-TPAT Evaluations and Assessments. Rudy spoke Nov. 6 at the Northeast Cargo Symposium, a Coalition of New England Companies for Trade (CONECT) event (here). He discussed a number of efforts to improve the program, including newly added benefits and work to reach a mutual recognition arrangement with China.
CBP and Mexico's Tax Administration Service signed a mutual recognition arrangement (MRA) on Oct. 17, said CBP in a press release. The MRA allows the two countries' customs agencies to consider an importer's participation within either trusted trader program -- Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism in the U.S. and New Certified Companies Scheme in Mexico. “This is a significant milestone for both the United States and Mexico and the facilitation of secure trade between the two countries,” said Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske. CBP previously said it planned to reach an MRA with Mexico by the end of the year (see 14061619). "The goal of the mutual recognition arrangement is to link the two industry partnership programs, so that together they create a unified and sustainable security posture that can assist in securing and facilitating global cargo trade," said the agency.
CBP is in the process of internally organizing a number of areas of the coming Trusted Trader pilot as the test nears its start, said Michael Denning, acting executive director, Cargo and Conveyance Security, during the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations (COAC) meeting on Oct. 7. CBP has selected and started to notify accepted applicants for the Trusted Trader pilot, he said. The pilot, which will test a combined CBP’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) supply chain security program with the Importer Self Assessment (ISA) import compliance program, was announced in June (see 14061320).
The European textile and apparel industry is pushing for regulatory harmonization with the U.S. through the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, namely by streamlining labeling rules and customs procedures, a European Union association called Euratex said in a position paper released during the last TTIP talks. The latest round wrapped up on Oct. 3, and negotiators focused on progress made in services trade and some technical regulations (see 14100616).
CBP posted a set of frequently asked questions for the planned Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program for exporters, called C-TPAT Exporter Entity. The agency is in the process of updating the automated system to allow applications for the program, it said. While C-TPAT importers that can now receive export benefits with Japan and European Union due to mutual recognition arrangements, this program "is being launched to enable 'export only' businesses to enjoy C-TPAT benefits as well," it said. CBP recently posted a list of exporter eligibility requirements for participation in C-TPAT (see 14070921).
The Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations (COAC) for CBP will next meet Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. in Washington, CBP said in a notice.
CBP is undergoing its "own version of a corporate reorganization" as the agency continues work to increase the role of the Centers of Excellence and Expertise, said Deputy Commissioner Kevin McAleenan , who spoke during the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America Government Affairs Conference on Sept. 16. The agency is aligning its staff with how industry is set up, he said. That includes adjustments to the agency's field operations, the Office of Trade and legal counsel, all of which is helping CBP develop a better "compliance and security posture," said McAleenan.
CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske promoted Brenda Smith, who previously headed up the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) business office at the agency, as assistant commissioner in the Office of International Trade, CBP said in a Sept. 11 press release. Smith takes over for Rich DiNucci, who led the Office of International Trade in an acting capacity since Al Gina retired last year (see 13080802). DiNucci was moved to the Office of Field Operations, where he will be executive director of Cargo Conveyance and Security, said the agency.
CBP posted a fact sheet describing the planned Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program for exporters. CBP recently posted a list of exporter eligibility requirements for participation in C-TPAT (see 14070921).