Combined C-TPAT/ISA Program Delayed to Involve CPSC, FDA

CBP's official notice beginning a pilot program that would test a combined Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Importer Self Assessment (ISA) was delayed in order to include information on participation by other government agencies, said CBP in a document released ahead of the Feb. 20 Advisory Committee on the Commercial Operations of CBP (COAC) meeting. CBP said in November it planned to officially request pilot participants for the program, known as "Trusted Trader," by the end of 2013 (see 13111920). Another COAC working group said it is working to develop recommendations for customs broker permitting updates by May.

A Federal Register notice announcing the Trusted Trader pilot "has been delayed to include revisions that will reflect [Consumer Product Safety Commission] and [Food and Drug Administration] participation and partnership integration during the Phase 1 test," said CBP in the document (here). "The Trusted Trader program is currently planned to be implemented in three phases. Phase I will combine C-TPAT and ISA application, review, validations, and vetting. The program framework includes new incentives in addition to current C-TPAT, ISA, and CPSC incentives." The program is hoped to align with Authorized Economic Operator programs around the world, it said.

Broker Permitting Recommendations Coming in May

The "Role of the Broker" COAC working group "plans to make a recommendation on broker permitting modernization" during the May meeting, said CBP in another COAC document (here). The group also "plans to make recommendations to CBP on the future direction of broker management, helping to create consistent oversight and treatment of customs brokers on a national basis, especially in light of permitting modernization." That recommendation will also include possible revisions to the Broker Management Handbook, published in 2002, said a separate COAC document (here).

The recommendations stem from the working group's understanding that current broker district boundaries need updating, said CBP. Due to technological and organizational changes, such as the Centers of Excellence and Expertise and the Automated Commercial Environment, "the use of the customs broker national permit is becoming increasingly important for the customs broker to participate in these modernization initiatives, especially those that involve remote filing," it said. "It is the goal of the Working Group to propose a recommendation that aligns the broker permit system with the trade modernization initiatives, while ensuring the customs broker exercises responsible supervision and control and maintaining the value of the customs broker license to CBP and the trade."