U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued an information notice on the Importer Security Filing (ISF) Portal that includes information on the recently announced ISF Reports available on the ISF Portal via the ACE Portal. The notice states that this new feature is available for Trade Account Owners with Importer, Broker, Carrier (VOCs, NVOCCs), or Surety views. Importers can download in PDF or Excel, depending on the type of report they received by email, while others are able to download their reports in PDF and Excel formats. The notice also states that Cross Account Access can be provided.
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).
The World Customs Organization states that Indian Customs has been in consultations with the private sector in preparation for its Authorized Economic Operator program (a program for trusted traders similar to C-TPAT), and a pilot project has been scheduled to launch later this year. This development follows the recent opening of a National Operation Center established to support the information system and therefore enable better data and risk management. Additionally, Indian Customs has stressed its commitment to promoting Globally Networked Customs (GNC) to facilitate AEO-related information, and this latest development will pave the way for Mutual Recognition of AEO with other countries, the ultimate benefit of the AEO program.
On July 21, 2011, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano met with New Zealand Prime Minister Key to highlight the strategic partnership between the two countries to strengthen aviation security, protect critical cyber networks and infrastructure, and make the global supply chain system stronger, smarter and more resilient through programs such as the Secure Supply Chain Initiative. Napolitano stated that the U.S. will continue to work closely with New Zealand and other international partners to strengthen international screening standards and develop and deploy critical technologies to better track and detect illicit goods. (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/18/11 news, 11051819, for BP summary of U.S. and New Zealand signing a Joint Statement on Supply Chain Security. See ITT's Online Archives or 03/30/11 news, 11033016, for BP summary of U.S. and New Zealand expanding their C-TPAT mutual recognition agreement (MRA).)
At a July 12, 2011 House Subcommittee hearing, several associations testified on issues related to authorization of the Transportation Security Administration for fiscal year (FY) 2012-2013. Trucking industry representatives shared concerns about security rule overregulation, redundancies, and the TWIC reader, while those in the air cargo transport industry sought funding to improve the screening of consolidated shipments and for low tech solutions such as canine inspections. They also expressed support for expanding CBP's air cargo pre-departure pilot to others.1
Broker Power is providing readers with some of the top stories for July 11 - 15, 2011 in case they were missed last week.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced that new capabilities were deployed via the Automated Commercial Environment with respect to Importer Security Filing (ISF). These new capabilities include (i) importer access through ACE to the ISF progress reports that have to date only been available via email subscription and (ii) making ISF progress reports, previously available only to importers, now also available via ACE to ISF filers and sureties. In addition, importers who file 12 or fewer ISF transactions per year will now be able to file and track their ISF transactions directly via the ACE portal, without the need to file via the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
On July 8, 2011, U.S. Customs and Border Protection posted its latest edition of Frontline (Vol. 4, Issue 2), CBP's quarterly magazine on border security. Among other things, the magazine highlights CBP's recent actions towards expanding C-TPAT mutual recognition; arranging trusted traveler programs; moving to an account-based approach to security; and on leveraging the role of the broker.
Broker Power is providing readers with some of the top stories for June 27 -- July 1, 2011 in case they were missed last week.
Broker Power is providing readers with some of the top stories for June 20 - 24, 2011 in case they were missed last week.