For nearly 11 years, Customs and Border Protection has worked to replace the Automated Commercial System with the Automated Commercial Environment. As a result, most customs entries must pass through ACE by November 2015. For those in the customs brokerage industry that have not already started the transition from ACS to ACE, 2015 could be very tumultuous and critical time.
Under Presidential Executive Order 13659, all 47 government agencies involved with the import-export process must use the International Trade Data System’s “Single Window” by December 2016. To facilitate this move, the Border Interagency Executive Council and many industry members are involved in efforts to help accomplish this during 2015.
Also on the export side, the Federal Maritime Commission had proposed recommendations to radically alter the forwarding industry. After heated industry feedback, the FMC reconsidered its original approach and amended the proposal. Now, except for some minor issues, the NCBFAA considers the proposal is more amenable to the trade’s expectations. The NCBFAA not only encourages the FMC to take the lead on West Coast congestion issues and growing demurrage costs, but also continues to work with it on regulatory burdens such as tariffs, carrier agreements and NVOCC service agreements.
Because the trusted trader concept effectively facilitates trade, the NCBFAA is very excited to introduce its Broker Known Importer Program in 2015. Under it, regulated, licensed customs brokers could decrease importer’s risk by identifying customers with good internal compliance controls on multiple levels and considering them as known importers even though they are not currently in CBP’s required Importer Self Assessment program for trusted trader status.
Because current regulations do not provide for proper supervision and control in the wake of full Remote Location Filing, the NCBFAA hopes to complete regulatory language with Customs to correct this shortcoming.
Geoffrey C. Powell, President, National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America