The U.S. and Japan will cooperate more closely to strengthen the security and resiliency of the global supply chain and promote the timely, efficient flow of legitimate commerce, according to a White House fact sheet on U.S.-Japan Cooperative Initiatives issued along with a joint statement after President Obama met with Japanese Prime Minister Noda.
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director of Import Operations Domenic Veneziano went into detail in describing the plans for the voluntary qualified importer program (VQIP) while speaking at the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America April 25, 2012. The plans are still in development, said Veneziano. The VQIP was required as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Area Port of Buffalo will hold its first “Trade Day” on Thursday, May 3, 2012. The event will provide an opportunity for members of the trade community to meet with CBP and other government officials responsible for facilitating the importation of their goods. The Trade Day activities will be at U.S. Customs and Border Protection Port Office, 726 Exchange St., Suite 400, Buffalo, NY, from 10 am to 1 pm. The event is free, but on-line registration is required.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and TSA have released their Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) Pilot Strategic Plan. ACAS allows CBP and TSA to receive advance security filing cargo data as a means to target cargo shipments inbound to the United States that may be high risk and require additional physical screening under the appropriate regulatory framework and protocols. According to CBP, ACAS will allow express carriers, passenger air carriers, freight forwarders, and all-cargo air carriers to send and receive security filing data through CBP's Automated Targeting System (ATS).
Officials from Customs and Border Protection and Canada Border Services Agency reiterated the details of the "Beyond the Border" action plan during townhall meetings in Niagara, NY and Toronto on February 28-29, 2012. The presentations describe specific actions and 2012-2014 target dates to achieve goals such as: (i) common data elements for advance cargo screening; (ii) mutual recognition of air cargo security programs for passenger aircraft; (iii) attempted alignment of Canada’s Customs Self Assessment (CSA) and the U.S. Importer Self Assessment (ISA) programs; (iv) assessment on ways to move wood packaging material inspections away from the border; etc.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a presentation that gives an overview of the Importer Self-Assessment Program. The overview describes the program and its vision; the requirements for participation and benefits; the application process; the need for a risk-based approach, internal controls and best practices. The presentation also gives the percent of ISA members by industry, and the value percentage of ISA shipments
The European Commission has announced that Neri Spa of Livorno, Italy has become the 10,000th Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) at the European Union-level. AEO status at the EU level identifies safe and reliable businesses that are engaged in international trade. As a result, Neri Spa will become a highly trusted partner at customs checks and fewer inspections of goods will be necessary and formal customs procedures will be quicker to fill. The EU has stated that it wants its major trade partners across the globe to recognize the AEO status to facilitate and protect international trade. Switzerland, Norway, and Japan mutually recognize the EU's AEO label. The EU expects mutual recognition with the U.S. soon. A similar agreement is also being negotiated with China.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has submitted a proposed rule entitled "Disclosure of Information for Certain Intellectual Property Rights Enforced at the Border" to the Office of Management and Budget for approval.
Broker Power is providing readers with some of the top stories for March 5 - March 9, 2012 in case they were missed last week.