COAC Set to Recommend Improved Use of Tech, Procurement to Address de Minimis Threats

CBP should “advance” its use of technologies for interdicting illicit de minimis shipments, and should update its procedures to increase the speed at which it adopts technologies that can be used to address issues surrounding de minimis shipments, the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee said in draft recommendations set for a vote at the Sept. 20 COAC meeting.

The recommendations were the result of a quick turnaround. Though the COAC de minimis working group that drafted the recommendations only met for the first time on Aug. 22, CBP issued a notice Sept. 12 adding the recommendations to the agenda for its upcoming meeting next week. Despite a general requirement that CBP post its COAC agenda 15 calendar days prior to a meeting, “CBP considers the working group's activity to be of significant interest to the public and the government,” and the agency “does not want to delay COAC's ability to deliberate publicly upon the additional proposed recommendations," it said in the notice.

The agenda said “emerging risks have necessitated changes to operational priorities,” so the working group “met on an aggressive schedule.”

Among the recommendations is one that “CBP immediately advance the utilization of non-intrusive inspection (NII) equipment, machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies for the interdiction of illicit shipments. Technology should be integrated in such a way to avoid slowing down supply chains while facilitating compliant trade.”

The working group also is proposing a recommendation that “CBP evaluate its procurement procedures and processes to identify ways in which technology can be adopted, purchased, and deployed more rapidly to address changes and trends in trade, including, but not limited to, the identification of legislative exemptions to expedite procurement processes.”

The COAC also will vote on a recommendation that CBP and the trade community “explore options to identify opportunities to share data and information, including all entities across the supply chain, to address potentially illicit shipments.” CBP’s ongoing 21st Century Customs Framework initiative, which soon will be taken up by Congress (see 2309110070), includes the provision of data by non-traditional parties (see 2304260074).

Another draft recommendation is that CBP and the trade community “identify and share best practices and warning indicators regarding unmanifested shipments arriving in a Master Carton.” The working group also is proposing that CBP “explore options with the trade that, at point of origin, utilize technologies and programs for prescreening or preclearance.” The COAC also will decide whether to recommend that CBP require the U.S. Postal Service to be required to “provide the same data elements and adhere to the same protocols” as the private sector.