Importer of Record Database May Require Statutory Changes, New Funding, CBP's Smith Says

An importer of record database required under the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (see 1602170074) may require additional work before some of what is described in the law can be put in place, said Brenda Smith, executive assistant commissioner with CBP's Office of International Trade. Smith and other officials discussed the issue with reporters during the East Coast Trade Symposium on Dec. 1. "There are a couple of ideas in that authorization bill about using brokers, polishing up a database and the way that we managed importer IDs," some of which is linked to CBP's planned updates to Form 5106 to include additional information about importers, she said. "Our intention is to report back to Congress about our progress in all of those areas and then we may need some additional support, whether it's statutory changes or automation investment, to make what they are looking for a reality. It's early days yet."

The Office of Management and Budget has been reviewing the updated Form 5106 for several months (see 1611040025). "We think we are at the final hoop," she said. In addition to getting OMB approval of the form, CBP needs to make sure "the automation is where it needs to be," she said. CBP "has some work to do" toward that automation, which will "probably take place in the spring," she said. "Before we go final to implement," CBP would need "both pieces," she said.

The customs reauthorization law reflects an improved understanding about the data involved in customs transactions, she said. "I think our focus on the use of advance data has really allowed Congress to understand how important it is that, not only that the data have integrity, but that it be the right data about the parties we are doing business with. And I think their direction to us is to use all possible authorities, technology and policy to ensure that the data that we are getting is accurate and that it is the type of data that it will allow us to manage the risk and target well."