U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued revised information regarding the mutual recognition1 of Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program and foreign industry partner programs, to provide an update on CBP's pending mutual recognition arrangement (MRA) with the European Union, Mexico's pilot for a mutual recognition program, and CBP's MRA with the Korean Customs Service.
On June 23, 2011, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano signed a joint statement with several European Union Commissioners on global supply chain security cooperation, which identifies several areas for possible joint action, including common practices for high risk cargo, mutual recognition of customs controls, etc.
On June 21, 2011, the European Union Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Algirdas Šemeta, spoke to the American Chamber of Commerce, where he discussed EU-U.S. customs-related issues, including trade partnership programs, supply chain security, and customs enforcement of intellectual property rights.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has issued a report developed by U.S. and Mexican business communities, making recommendations to improve border relations between the U.S. and Mexico regarding security, trade facilitation, infrastructure, etc.
The U.S. and Canadian Chambers of Congress have jointly submitted recommendations to the Beyond the Border Working Group (BBWG) in response to the government of Canada's request for input on industry priorities for the Canada-U.S. border and the joint action plan for perimeter security and economic competitiveness.
On June 7, 2011, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano visited New York to deliver remarks to the American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI) on DHS' continued partnership with the private sector to strengthen global supply chain security through programs such as the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). She also highlighted the Administration's progress toward the development of a National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security, an effort that will help ensure the country is resilient in response to large-scale events while maintaining the flow of commerce.
A U.S.-Canada bi-national coalition of manufacturing associations and companies, the Businesses for a Better Border (B3), has sent a letter to both the governments of Canada and the U.S. to provide input into the February 2011 declaration by President Obama and Prime Minister Harper on “Beyond the Border: Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness.”
On June 3, 2011, the fiscal year 2012 USDA and FDA1 Appropriations bill was introduced in the House after being reported by the House Appropriations Committee. The bill would cut FDA appropriations, project additional funding from user fees, and prohibit funding of payments to Brazil to settle a WTO cotton dispute. In its report, the Appropriations Committee also encourages FDA to establish a highly compliant importer pilot.
In the May 25, 2011 issue of the Customs Bulletin, CBP has issued an amended version of its 2005 mitigation guidelines1 for penalties involving advance electronic cargo information. The amended version is effective on publication2, and changes the language regarding C-TPAT members, newly lists the maximum penalty per conveyance arrival as $100,000, among other corrections and updates.
On May 26, 2011, the fiscal year 2012 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill was introduced in the House after being reported by the House Appropriations Committee. This bill would provide funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as well as other DHS agencies.