CBP's Smith Describes Re-Write of Broker 111 Regs

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- The rewrite of Part 111 of U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations will focus on improving the regulations for 2020, rather than the near future, said Brenda Smith, executive director of trade Policy and Programs at CBP, speaking at the National Customs Brokers and Forwards Association of America conference April 25, 2012. The development of the new regs has been helped along with a partnership with NCBFAA, she said. Smith said there has been a lot of feedback from importers seeking to participate as clients and as employers of people with brokers licenses, she said.

Smaller and medium sized companies have also been vocal recently, seeking to have more direct contact with CBP, and CBP plans to have a more open process as a result, she said. As the rulemaking process progresses, the CBP will be doing more outreach, said Smith. CBP will make sure the process is transparent and will need to get lots of feedback, she said. CBP has said it plans to release an advance notice of proposed rulemaking in which it will collect information and feedback. CBP plans to have several meetings over the summer with stakeholders, with at least 4 large meetings around the country to discuss provisions and additional smaller roundtable discussions, said Smith. Part of the process will require CBP to define quantifiable benefit to the changes, and significant industry engagement is necessary, she said.

(See ITT's Online Archives 12022733 for summary of discussion of the rewrite at the February COAC meeting.)