CBP is hoping to hold its annual Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Security Conference near the end of September, said Carlos Ochoa, supervisory program manager of C-TPAT at CBP. Ochoa spoke at the Import Compliance and Enforcement conference June 20. The conference requires approval from the Department of Homeland Security for the first time this year and that approval was still pending, he said.
The Department of Homeland Security has decided to delay the effective date for 100-percent scanning of incoming maritime cargo containers for at least two years, as expected (see ITT's Online Archives 12060123), the department's top spokesman has confirmed. "Based on engagement with industry and foreign partners, as well as the results of several pilots, DHS has concluded that 100-percent scanning of incoming maritime cargo is neither the most efficient nor cost-effective approach to securing our global supply chain and has extended the implementation of the 100 percent scanning mandate as allowed by the SAFE Port Act," spokesman Matthew Chandler told us.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Inspector General's Office released an audit report recommending improved security verification procedures for truckers approved within the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. CBP said it concurred with the report and is working on the issues.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released its Northern Border Strategy (NBS), described as" the first unified strategy to guide the Department’s policies and operations along the U.S.-Canada border." DHS said the strategy will work closely in conjunction with the "Beyond the Border" plan released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in February.
In the June 5-6, 2012, editions of the Official Journal of the European Union, the following trade-related notices were posted:
The House Homeland Security Committee approved in a voice vote HR-4251, the Securing Maritime Activities through Risk-based Targeting (SMART) for Port Security Act , June 6. The legislation is meant to authorize, enhance, and reform port security programs through increased efficiency and risk-based coordination within the Department of Homeland Security. Text of the bill is here.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) posted an updated listed of frequently asked questions on the Centers of Excellence and Expertise. CBP officials said during the May 22, 2012 COAC meeting another update is expected shortly. The questions and answers are:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials further elaborated on the challenges they face due to budgetary constraints at late morning and afternoon sessions of its Industry Day event, held in Washington, DC on May 22, 2012. In the face of such constraints, CBP officials said that cooperation with industry is essential to improve efficiency and lessen the burden on port personnel. A panel on intelligence and targeting said such budgetary constraints have encouraged CBP to use pre-departure initiatives for the same motive. However, an official from the Department of Homeland Security research arm bemoaned the effect of budget woes on the development of revolutionary technology.
A number of questions remain for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on the next locations for the next five Centers for Excellence and Expertise (CEEs), said participants at the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations meeting May 22 in Savannah, Ga. CBP will be establishing industry working groups to be co-chaired by CBP and trade to take on CEE issues, said Brenda Smith, executive director for Trade Policy and Programs in the Office of International Trade at CBP.
A difficult budget environment for U.S. Customs and Border Protection was the early theme for CBP's Industry Day May 22, despite expectations for increased travel and trade. The days of the Department of Homeland Security budget growing 7.5 percent per year are over, said keynoter Rafael Borras, under secretary for management at DHS.