U.S. CUSTOMS ENDS IMPORTER COMPLIANCE MONITORING PROGRAM

U.S. CUSTOMS ENDS IMPORTER COMPLIANCE MONITORING PROGRAM    U.S. Customs has cancelled a program test that allows importers to test their own compliance with the agency’s laws and regulations on May 30.
   The agency blamed the program test’s termination on low participation.
   Customs has decided to replace its so-called Importer Compliance Monitoring Program with “an updated approach using new methodologies,” which the agency said would be announced soon.
   “All testing procedures, reporting requirements and other obligations assumed by importers by virtue of their participation in the ICMP test, and all benefits accruing to importers as a result of their participation in the ICMP test, will cease to apply upon termination of the ICMP test,” Customs said.
   The test program, which began on April 24, 1998, was supposed to last a year. Customs announced a second test of the program on July 23, 2001.
   Although the ICMP is cancelled, Customs reminded importers that they must continue to comply with all U.S. import laws and regulations.