U.S., Japan link trusted trader programs

U.S., Japan link trusted trader programs    The United States and Japan have agreed to mutually recognize the compatibility of their industry partnership programs for cargo security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced last week.
   The agreement between Japan Customs and CBP was signed in Brussels, Belgium, during the World Customs Organization's annual meeting.
   Under the arrangement, both customs organizations will accept the security status of companies certified to participate in the U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program and Japan's Authorized Economic Operator program. Companies that meet minimum security standards for international shipping are eligible to receive less inspection scrutiny and other privileges. C-TPAT is an import security program, but CBP will now give the same preferential treatment to Japanese exporters that have passed security audits by Japan Customs.
   CBP said it expects the arrangement to save money for both organizations because it will reduce the number of supply chain security validations that each customs administration has to conduct.
   CBP already has similar mutual recognition agreements in place with Jordan, Canada and New Zealand. The WCO's goal is to have similar security standards around the world to make it easier for companies to participate in securing import and export operations. ' Eric Kulisch