World Customs Organization Endorses CBP
Global Trade Principles
Commissioner Bonner also signs anti-terrorist agreement with Jordan

(12/10/2004) The World Customs Organization (WCO) for the first time ever endorsed a Framework of Standards to secure and facilitate global trade that is based upon principles designed and implemented by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner, joined by WCO Secretary General Michel Danet, WCO Policy Chairman and South African’s Revenue Service Commissioner Pravin Gordhan, and the Director General of Jordanian Customs Mahmoud Qteishat announced the approval at a joint press conference in Amman, Jordan.

The WCO represents 164 Customs administrations from around the world and accounts for 99 percent of all global trade.

“The action taken today by the WCO will, not only build a system that enhances the flow of legitimate trade, but it builds a global security system – growing all economies, strengthening international partnerships, and securing the world against terrorism. I applaud the leadership demonstrated by the WCO,” Commissioner Bonner stated.

The WCO Framework is designed to encourage cooperation between worldwide customs administrations to secure international supply chains and facilitate the movement of goods. The use of advanced electronic information and smarter, more secure containers are vital components.

Additionally, the framework will create an international, consistent system for identifying businesses that offer a high degree of security. In return they receive tangible benefits including the speedy clearance of low risk cargo through customs.

While also in Jordan, Commissioner Bonner signed a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) with Director General Qteishat of Jordan’s Customs Department to improve trade and secure it against terrorism. The CMAA will allow CBP to exchange information, intelligence, and other assistance with Jordan.

“International trade is increasing rapidly and terrorism is a global threat. It is now critical that Customs agencies around the world share information, not only to improve the flow of trade, but also to secure trade routes,” Commissioner Bonner said. “Everyone wins when we establish consistent standards to promote international trade, thwart criminal activity, and defeat terrorism."

Additionally, the agreement provides a basis for cooperation and investigation in the areas of commercial fraud, smuggling, export controls, and related security. The CMAA will be mutually beneficial to the U.S. and Jordan by enhancing their abilities to enforce customs laws. Currently, U.S. domestic laws, and most foreign national laws, do not permit disclosure of much information in the absence of a formal agreement or treaty.

“The signing of this mutual agreement recognizes an excellent existing working relationship and further acknowledges Jordan as a strong, strategic partner,” Commissioner Bonner stated.

CBP has signed agreements with a number of other customs administrations worldwide. As of today, 54 agreements have been signed.

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U.S. and India Sign Pact to Improve Trade and Fight Criminal Activity

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Washington, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security announced that the United States has signed an agreement with the government of India that is designed to assist the two nations in preventing, investigating, and suppressing Customs offenses.

The agreement, a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA), will allow two Homeland Security agencies, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), to exchange information, intelligence, and other data with India in order to enhance the enforcement of Customs laws.

The Honorable U. S. Ambassador to New Delhi, Dr. David C. Mulford, and the Chairman of the Central Board of Excise & Customs, Mr. Shri Ajay Kumar Singh, signed the English and Hindi language versions of the Document in a signing ceremony in New Delhi, India, on December 15, 2004.

“This agreement will allow our nations to strengthen ties in the law enforcement and trade arenas. It helps ensure that international borders do not serve as barriers to the effective enforcement of Customs laws. The CMAA also provides the framework for U.S. and Indian law enforcement to work together on issues affecting the security of both nations,” said Michael J. Garcia, the Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“International trade and criminal activity are both increasing rapidly. It is critical that Customs agencies around the world share information in order to secure global trade routes and improve the flow of trade,” said U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Robert C. Bonner. “Everyone wins when we establish consistent standards to promote international trade and thwart criminal activity. The signing of this Mutual Agreement recognizes an excellent existing working relationship and further acknowledges India as a strong, strategic partner."

This agreement provides a basis for cooperation and investigation in the areas of commercial fraud, smuggling and export controls and related security. The CMAA will be mutually beneficial to the U.S. and India by enhancing their abilities to enforce Customs laws. U.S. domestic laws, and most foreign national laws, do not permit disclosure of much information in the absence of a formal agreement or treaty.

As of today, 55 agreements have been signed between Homeland Security entities and other countries.

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First Middle Eastern Port Formally Commits to Target,
Pre-Screen and Secure Cargo Destined for the U.S.

December 12, 2004

Dubai, UAE — Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation joined the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Container Security Initiative making it the first Middle Eastern port to participate. CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, signed a declaration of principles to acknowledge the agreement that will enable all cargo destined for the U.S. through the port of Dubai to be targeted and pre-screened.

“The threat of terrorism is real and, it’s a global threat. Dubai Customs recognizes the absolute importance of protecting cargo against the terrorist threat. I applaud their bold action of assuming a leadership role in the Middle East,” said Commissioner Bonner.

CBP will deploy a small team of officers to the port of Dubai, the 6th largest port operator in the world whose mission will be to target sea containers destined for the United States. Dubai Customs officials, working with CBP officers, will be responsible for screening any containers identified as a potential terrorist threat.

The primary purpose of CSI is to help protect the global trading system and the trade routes between CSI ports and the United States. By collaborating with foreign customs administrations, CBP is working towards a safer, more secure world trading system.

Under CSI, CBP has entered into bi-lateral partnerships with other governments to identify high-risk cargo containers and to pre-screen them before they are loaded on vessels destined for the United States. Today, governments representing 21 countries have signed up to implement CSI.

“I congratulate the Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation on this historic event. They are now partnering with the United States and are a leader in protecting the global trading system,” said Ambassador to the UAE Michele Sison.

CSI did not exist before 9/ll. It was proposed by Commissioner Bonner and launched in January 2002. CSI has been accepted globally as a bold and revolutionary initiative to secure maritime cargo shipments against the terrorist threat. This initiative will continue to expand to strategic locations around the world.

The World Customs Organization (WCO), the European Union (EU), and the G8 support CSI expansion and have adopted resolutions implementing CSI security measures introduced at ports throughout the world.

The 32 operational ports in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America include: Halifax, Montreal, and Vancouver, Canada; Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Le Havre, France; Bremerhaven and Hamburg, Germany; Antwerp and Zeebrugge, Belgium; Singapore; Yokohama, Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kobe, Japan; Hong Kong; Gِteborg, Sweden; Felixstowe, Liverpool, Southampton, Thamesport, and Tilbury, United Kingdom; Genoa, La Spezia, Naples, and Gioia Tauro, Italy; Busan, Korea; Durban, South Africa; Port Klang and Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia; Piraeus, Greece; Algeciras, Spain; and Laem Chabang, Thailand.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the protection of our nation’s borders. CBP unified Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture Inspectors and the Border Patrol into one border agency for the United States.

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Homeland Security seeks industry input on
cargo security Plan

By Danielle Belopotosky, National Journal's Technology Daily

The Homeland Security Department called on the cargo industry to help develop a national strategy to ensure the protection of America's supply chain.

"This is a job beyond the scope of one federal department," Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge told a group of U.S. owners and operators of cargo and distribution companies. The job also will require the collective efforts of the private sector, local governments and the international community to protect America's economic security, he said.

To begin the push for the strategy, Ridge presented a working paper to cargo industry stakeholders during the first of a two-day meeting hosted by the Homeland Security Institute, which provides systems and technological analyses to the department.

"We want you to vet, modify and alter" the draft paper, he said. "We are looking to you to play an active role" in developing standards and "best practices" for a national strategy.

More than 20,000 containers enter the United States daily, Ridge said, and jurisdictions in the distribution process overlap. Some jurisdictions are beyond U.S. legal control, he said.

"No one can expect a 100 percent secure cargo regime," said Randall Yim, director of the institute. But the mission of the department is to inspect 100 percent of cargo identified as high-risk. "People are entitled to expect that the government do its very best."

In securing incoming cargo, the department recommends that U.S. customs officials create a multilateral information-sharing system with its foreign trading partners and establish international standards for security, data and system architectures.

The majority of cargo, some 9 million containers, enters the United States by water. The department requires 24 hours notice before any U.S.-bound cargo is loaded onto a vessel. An international shipping and port security code, called an ISPS, also has been adopted to enhance maritime security. The code assesses threats, enables data collection and sharing, and imposes training requirements.

Technology tools also are needed to secure cargo, Ridge said. Advanced X-ray and radiation screening equipment and high-security seals and sensors already are in place, he said, but even with technology, vulnerabilities remain.

The white paper identifies deficiencies in data collection, analysis and reporting. Unauthorized access to computer systems could expose computer systems to hackers, intercepted e-mails and shipment details, the paper said. The department urges the federal government to work with the private sector to leverage its capabilities in data collection and analysis.

"With every step we take to enhance security throughout the cargo-shipping process," Ridge said, "we are mindful that security measures must not stifle the free flow of commerce and goods that drive the economies of the world."

Ridge said a disruption in shipping could have dire consequences on small-business owners, construction companies and retailers, and the economic viability of the country.

"We need partners who will take an active, forward-leaning view at all times," he said. "We will have to work with you in the end to implement" the national strategy.