The timeframe for implementation of an export arm to the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) has yet to be decided, as CBP continues work to figure out related incentives and security criteria, agency officials and business leaders said. The export inclusion will likely begin as a pilot program and ultimately seeks to provide increased commercial opportunities for U.S. companies, said CBP. The agency is now developing a framework to incorporate an export component to the voluntary trusted trader C-TPAT program (see 13082223).
Pharmaceutical and trade groups urged FDA to tread lightly as it puts in place new requirements for drug importers under the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA). The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA), American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI), and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) each submitted comments in favor of an FDA definition of importer that recognizes that trade services firms like customs brokers can’t be responsible for compliance. They also said FDA should be careful not to impose new data submission requirements that are too onerous. AAEI and PhRMA pushed FDA to establish a trusted drug importer program based on the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), and NCBFAA cautioned against a repeat of the U.S. agent dilemma caused by FDA’s foreign food facility registration requirements.
CBP is in the process of developing an export component to the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorist (C-TPAT) meant to address security risks posed by exports in the international supply chain, said Acting Director of Imports/Exports in the CBP Office of Field Operations Ted Clifton said during an Aug. 21 webinar held by Integration Point. Clifton said C-TPAT is “an emerging concept for exports”.
The Food and Drug Administration will soon begin its secure supply chain pilot program for pharmaceuticals, it said in a Federal Register notice set for publication Aug. 20. The pilot, originally announced in 2009 (see 09011620), will allow expedited entry for finished drug products and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from participating importers. FDA said it will accept applications beginning Sept. 16 until Dec. 31, and will begin the pilot in February 2014. The agency intends to run the pilot for two years, until February 2016, it said.
CBP is extending the comment period to Aug. 26 for an existing information collection for the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. CBP proposes to extend the expiration date of this information collection with a change to the burden hours.
CBP's C-TPAT reached a total of 10,572 certified partners by July 1, according to CBP's July achievements report. Staffing level reached 154 and there were 327 Tier 3 importers, it said. A total of 23,054 validations were completed, including 11,928 initial validations and 11,126 revalidations. There were a total of 1,659 suspensions and 1,211 removals, CBP said.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for June 10-14 in case they were missed.
CBP plans to make recommendations for air cargo standards to the World Customs Organization for the Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE) framework by this fall, said CBP Deputy Commissioner Thomas Winkowski while speaking at the American Association of Exporters and Importers conference June 17. "We see the international harmonization of future air cargo security standards and guidelines as an absolute priority and its important in a global environment to ensure the security standards won't disrupt the flow of legitimate commerce," he said. The program is held in such high esteem, Japan has asked that the WCO hold back on establishing international air cargo standards until the Air Cargo Advance Screening Pilot (ACAS) pilot has finished, he said.
CBP plans to hold a webinar at 2 p.m. June 20 to update the trade on the benefits of the Centers of Excellence and Expertise and trade transformation, the agency said in a CSMS message. The webinar will feature Maria Luisa Boyce, senior advisor for private sector engagement from CBP’s Office of Trade Relations and Allen Gina, the assistant commissioner of CBP’s Office of International Trade, it said. The webinar also will share information on key programs related to security and trade facilitation including the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), Customs—Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), and Importer Self-Assessment (ISA). Agency officials will also discuss the Base Metals Center of Excellence and Expertise and providing several key steps of the transition to the CEE.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s FY 2014 funding bill in the House includes recommendations to delay a mandatory country-of-origin labeling rule and create a trusted importer program, but does not include the USDA’s proposed food importer fee. The House Appropriations Committee marked up the bill June 13. Read the complete draft bill (here).