CBP issued a notice stating that on March 31, 2009, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued an "Importer/Broker" letter to clarify the import permit process for FSIS-exempted food products containing small amounts (less than two percent) of meat and/or poultry ingredients. Further, APHIS has informed CBP that a U.S. Department of Agriculture import permit will now be required for all FSIS-exempted food products containing small amounts of meat and/or poultry ingredients. CBP enforcement of this USDA administrative change is scheduled to start on June 22, 2009. (See future issue of ITT for details.) (CBP notice, dated 04/14/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/agriculture/meat_poultry_regs.xml)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted nine frequently asked questions and answers on the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) validation process.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a revised version of its Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) minimum security for rail carriers.
On April 1, 2009, the House Appropriations Committee's Homeland Security Subcommittee held a hearing on cargo and container security. Among those testifying at the hearing was Acting U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Ahern. The following are highlights of the prepared statement of Acting CBP Commissioner Ahern:
At a recent teleconference, Brad Skinner, the director of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program, gave an update on C-TPAT. Highlights of his comments are as follows:
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Lieberman announced his homeland security budget priorities in his annual letter to the Senate Budget Committee.
Canada Border Services Agency has posted "Cargo Sealing Guidelines for PIP Members" which provides guidelines for Partners in Protection (PIP) members on the use of high-security mechanical seals on containers and trailers for imported, exported and in-transit cargo.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted the comments of the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (COAC) on CBP's Trade Strategy for fiscal years 2009-2013.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued its Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2008.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an abridged external partner version of the U.S.-European Union roadmap towards Mutual Recognition1 of trade partnership programs (CBP's C-TPAT and EU's AEO).