FCS TO DEVELOP EXPORT DATA LINK TO RUSSIAN FAR EAST CUSTOMS

FCS TO DEVELOP EXPORT DATA LINK TO RUSSIAN FAR EAST CUSTOMS    The Foundation for Russian American Economic Cooperation has entered into an agreement with Flagship Customs Service to build and operate an Internet-based service to help U.S. companies clear their goods faster through Russian Far East Customs.
   The service, the U.S.-Russia Trade Facilitation Link, is part of the foundation’s Customs Link Entry/Exit American Russian-Pacific system, or Clear-Pac, which is backed by the U.S. Commerce Department. The foundation began laying the groundwork for the system in 1999.
   Last spring, the Seattle-based foundation’s Russian partner, Vladivostok-based Scientific Research Center Computer Technologies, completed the development of its Automated System of Preliminary Electronic Customs Clearance, which links the customs broker to Russian Far East Customs. Field tests of the module were conducted in May and June.
   The next step for Clear-Pac is for FCS to develop an electronic means to transmit export data directly from the United States to Russian Far East Customs while the shipments are en route. The data would be sent in a format compliant with Russian Far East Customs’ regulations.
   Initial pilot operations for the U.S.-Russia Trade Facilitation Link, which will be conducted on Sakhalin Island, are scheduled for January 2003.
   The system will be expanded to other Russian Customs ports of entry over time. The foundation said Clear-Pac would become “an intelligent conduit to other Russian Customs regions and broker communities willing to join the initiative.”
   “The U.S. exporter will have access to rapid, convenient, and certified channel to the Russian Customs infrastructure,” said Robert Foley, president of FCS. “The Russian broker community will obtain validated accurate information quicker and with less effort.”