NCBFAA to Raise Concerns Over Less Scrutiny for Self-Filers Under Broker ID Rule

The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America will submit a comment to CBP on the proposed rule (see 1908130031) aimed at tackling the problems of compliance for non-resident importers, according to Mary Jo Muoio, senior vice president, Trade Services and Government Relations, for Geodis USA. Muoio, who was responding to CBP Deputy Commissioner Bob Perez at the NCBFAA Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington Sept. 23, said the rule would have unintended consequences, because self-filers would not have to subject themselves to the same scrutiny.

Perez had just said that the rule would reduce broker shopping, curtail the use of shell companies and even prevent identity theft -- all obstacles to collecting duties from exporters. Perez encouraged NCBFAA to explore this issue in the comment.

Perez also told conference goers that the U.S. government asked the World Customs Organization to delay its announcement of ideas for tackling synthetic opioid smuggling until after CBP has results from its Section 321 data pilot and its Type 86 pilot (see 1908120019 and 1907220025). He said CBP would have answers for the WCO by next spring after it sees how those pilots play out. "This is our opportunity right now to get it right," he said of the difficult task of combating mail and express shipments of fentanyl, carfentanil, and other powerful opiates that are responsible for thousands of overdose deaths each year.