The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing to exempt certain information collected through the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) from the Privacy Act, DHS said in a notice of proposed rulemaking. The Privacy Act applies to information that is in a ''system of records,'' and requires approval from an individual to allow for the release of personally identifiable information,. The Privacy Act also allows government agencies to exempt certain records from the access provisions, but requires a notice of proposed rulemaking beforehand.
CBP posted a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) that outline the procedures and benefits of the mutual recognition program between the U.S. and the European Union. The program was recently implemented and is said to allow for better risk analysis through acceptance of the respective trusted trader programs -- Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) in the U.S. and Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) in the E.U. The FAQs say neither C-TPAT nor AEO customs brokers will directly benefit.
CBP released several documents outlining the agency's plans and expectations for operations following the budget cuts that took effect March 1. The agency will allow for operations as usual for Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS), the agency said. CBP has said it will continue to keep security, including radiation portal monitors, as a top priority during the cuts, but that trade processing could see major delays as a result of CBP furlough and cuts to overtime expenses. A list of CBP's trade priorities following sequestration is (here).
As technology rapidly changes the role of customs brokers, "importers and exporters will be increasingly dependent on brokers to provide data management, advice on valuation and classification, and to be the gateway to CBP programs," according to a new report on the role of brokers produced by the Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders (PCC). The report was submitted to Deputy Commissioner David Aguilar as part of its discussion with CBP policymakers over recent months on issues on the Role of the Broker.
A “multitude” of issues can trigger a Consumer Product Safety Commission inspection, but the commission also sees “a lot of problems that are really avoidable, but that create a delay,” said Carol Cave, director of import surveillance at CPSC. Cave spoke at the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization’s (ICPHSO) Annual Meeting and Training Symposium Feb. 27. CPSC has been working with CBP to regulate consumer products at the port, she said, and getting entry documentation right can mean avoiding the pitfalls that delay entry.
CBP announced the location and agenda for the next meeting of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations (COAC), March 6 at 1 p.m. (ET) in Washington, D.C. Online registration for webcast and in-person participation is available through March 4, said a Feb. 19 notice.
CBP and the European Union said a mutual recognition decision between CBP’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program and the EU’s Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program was fully implemented, effective Jan. 31. The agreement makes it easier for C-TPAT members to export to EU member states, and includes lower risk score and fewer exams. CBP said.
CBP posted links to several power point presentations made during the C-TPAT conference in Washington Jan. 8-10. While some of the links weren't working as of press time, the presentations posted were:
CBP and Mexico’s Tax Administration Service (SAT) signed a Joint Work Plan Jan. 17 that allows work toward mutual recognition of the two countries’ Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs. The work plan establishes a pathway to signing a mutual recognition agreement between CBP’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the SAT’s New Certified Companies Scheme (NEEC). The plan, expected to be implemented in two years, was signed by CBP Deputy Commissioner David Aguilar and SAT Director Aristóteles Nuñez Sánchez, said CBP.
Lauren Kaufer, previously acting director of CBP’s personnel security division in the Office of Internal Affairs, was chosen as Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program director.