Broker Regulations Update 'Still in Progress,' Says CBP's Bell

CBP's update to customs broker regulations is "still in progress," though the agency went "back and forth" on whether to rewrite the entirety of Part 111, said Sandra Bell, deputy commissioner in CBP's Office of International Trade. Bell, who spoke April 15 at the American Apparel and Footwear Association customs conference, said the agency plans to update the regulations in multiple stages and the continuing education portion should be out "shortly."

The problem with a wider update was that the pieces CBP wanted to update within Part 111 often intersected with the regulations for entry in Part 141, she said. "We were not ready to engage in that" because of CBP's work on automation and the Single Window, she said. About a year ago it planned to revise broker regulations through multiple rulemakings (see 14041002).

A finalized version of the updated Importer ID Input Record (Form 5106) won't be out for at least another 60 to 90 days, said Bell. The agency must address and provide analysis of the comments the agency received and also go through the Office of Management and Budget review process, Bell said. CBP requested comments on the revised form last year and several groups voiced concern with the increased level of data collection on corporate officers (see 1412240014). Bell noted that the additional information is largely optional and that the lack of such data may indicate there's not much known about the company.

Asked about a slowdown in the agency's issuance of internal advice rulings and requests for review of protests, Bell said CBP has no immediate plans to add personnel. "We are only able to add resources as people leave," she said.