U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued CSMS Message #11-000205, providing the August 2011 ACE Trade Account Owner Update. In this update, CBP states that for quota entries, the Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS) month should be determined using the date of presentation instead of the release date. CBP also provides information on how importers with or without ACE Portal Accounts can email requests for activation of new Importer of Record Numbers for PMS. The update also states that a new column called "C-TPAT FAST ID" was added to the Decal/Transponder Online Procurement System (DTOPS) Conveyance Lookup screen as part of a recent DTOPS release. See future issue of ITT for detailed summary of the TAO update.
In June 2011, the European Commission issued a Green Paper seeking comments by October 31, 2011 on how the European Union's system of export controls should be administered for dual-use goods (items that have both military and civilian uses), which account for up to 10% of EU exports.
Canada has released a report summarizing its consultations with Canadians on the new “perimeter approach” to security and economic competitiveness announced by President Obama and Prime Minister Harper in February 2011. In the report, Canadians seek simplification and alignment of border practices; harmonization of C-TPAT and PIP; expanded pre-border inspection and clearance; elimination of duplicative border inspections; etc.
During the August 18, 2011, COAC meeting CBP discussed its recent work with Mexico on single entry and data harmonization, its plans for a Northern Border pre-inspection pilot, and C-TPAT/AEO mutual recognition. In addition, the COAC Global Supply Chain Security Land Border Subcommittee discussed its plans and recommendations for increasing C-TPAT participation and harmonizing partnership programs.
At the August 18, 2011 COAC meeting, CBP officials and COAC members provided an update of their work on CBP’s broker revision project, which could include more robust broker vetting of importers and restricting the off-shoring of customs business.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a correction, effective August 24, 2011, of its final rule on the discontinuation of electronic courtesy notices of liquidation to importers of record whose entry summaries are filed in the Automated Broker Interface. In the preamble of the final rule, CBP mistakenly said that Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism members may receive Import Trade Activity (ITRAC) report for free. According to CBP, Importer Self Assessment (ISA), not C-TPAT members, receive free ITRAC reports.
On August 18, 2011, a COAC1 meeting was held in Long Beach, CA where CBP and COAC members discussed plans to develop recommendations for broker reform by October, roll out full-blown Centers for Excellence and Expertise in October, pilot simplified entry and financial process in October, expand the air cargo advance screening pilot to additional types of carriers and countries, and add export processing to the Automated Commercial Environment.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it has improved the C-TPAT Portal Status Verification Interface (SVI) so that it notifies all contacts associated with a Partner Account SVI monitoring page if certain changes have occurred, including (1) a company drops off the list (they generate a new SVI number), (2) a company status changes to a Non-Certified state, or (3) a company status changes to a Certified state.
The Transportation Security Administration has issued its final rule on air cargo screening, which is effective September 19, 2011. TSA states that the final rule removes two major requirements concerning validation firms and certification of aircraft operators and makes other clarifying changes to the provisions on foreign air carrier security, indirect air carrier security, and certification renewal for screening facilities.
Broker Power is providing readers with some of the top stories for August 8-12, 2011 in case they were missed last week.