LEADING INDUSTRY GROUPS STEP UP U.S. CUSTOMS IMPORT PROCESS REFORM

LEADING INDUSTRY GROUPS STEP UP U.S. CUSTOMS IMPORT PROCESS REFORM    Four of the country’s largest industry groups have strengthened their joint efforts to reform the U.S. Customs import process.
   The U.S. Business Alliance for Customs Modernization, American Association of Exporters and Importers, Joint Industry Group and National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America announced the formation this week of the Customs Reform Coalition.
   “We believe that industry should work together and change the focus on customs and border clearance reform by developing and advocating proposals that reflect the modern trade environment and global supply chain,” the coalition said in a statement Wednesday. “The administrative costs associated with U.S. border clearance procedures are too high and the process should be streamlined and simplified to reflect the way businesses do business.”
   The groups met last year in Washington to discuss the formation of a coalition that would allow them to speak to Customs with one voice on the reform issues on which they agree.
   The coalition will also help the industry to communicate more efficiently to Congressional leaders and their staff about “promoting modern, progressive trade facilitation processes while maintaining strong and effective border controls.”
   The coalition added that “industry will support the need for reform in meetings with members of Congress and the administration by bringing real examples of companies and constituents whose productivity, competitiveness, and job security are negatively impacted by outmoded customs and border clearance processes.”
   The Customs Reform Coalition is developing an Internet Web site to serve as a central communication center for the coalition. The Web site, which should be available soon, will also be accessible to organizations, companies and individuals to share their views on Customs reform.