CBP Holds Trade Day Forum, Plans C-TPAT/PIP Improvement
On July 27, 2011, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Deputy Commissioner Aguilar hosted a Trade Day forum with several groups, including Businesses for a Better Border, also known as B3.1 Among other things, CBP states that a pilot using single application requirements for Canada's Partners in Protection Program (PIP) and CBP's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) was very successful and that CBP is looking at expanding the pilot in September.2
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(The pilot was conducted with four highway carrier companies -- two located in Canada and two in the U.S.)
CBP states that this forum, which included B3, also included the Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance and the Public Border Operators Association; the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA), and the Trade Support Network (TSN).3
(The forum was the first full day of meetings with trade organizations hosted by CBP this summer. Typically held on a monthly basis, the meetings are designed to provide an informal setting for agency officials and trade association leaders to discuss issues and share mutual concerns.)
1Launched last February to support the shared objectives of President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, CBP states that B3 is a cross-border manufacturing coalition that advises the U.S. and Canadian governments on policies pertaining to perimeter security, regulatory compliance, and economic competitiveness.
(In May 2011, the leaders of B3 sent a letter to the administrations of both countries with recommendations on how to enhance the global competitiveness of U.S./Canadian industries, stimulate export growth, and support business investments and job creation. The letter included recommendations for three levels of U.S. - Canada trade. See ITT's Online Archives or 06/08/11 news, 11060823, for BP summary.)
2Approximately 77 percent of PIP’s 1,442 members are also members of C-TPAT. In addition, “A third of C-TPAT’s members are Canadian companies,” said Mathew Wilson, vice president of national policy for the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Canada’s leading trade and industry association.
3This was the first time the Trade Support Network has participated in a Trade Day forum. The Trade Support Network is comprised of trade representatives who provide input into the design and development of modernization projects such as CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment, better known as ACE.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/07/11 news, 11020729, for BP summary of U.S. - Canada Declaration on a Perimeter Approach for Security and Trade.)