BACM ENCOURAGES FORMATION OF COALITION WITH OTHER INDUSTRY GROUPS

BACM ENCOURAGES FORMATION OF COALITION WITH OTHER INDUSTRY GROUPS       The U.S. Business Alliance for Customs Modernization is pressing forward to form a coalition with other large industry groups.
      The coalition, yet to be named, will focus on developing legislation next year which may replace the 1993 Customs Modernization Act.
      “We need to change Customs laws to make them more efficient, modern and effective,” said James P. Finnegan, manager of international trade and compliance for Sony Corp. and president of BACM. “Customs can’t do it alone. Congress can’t do it alone. We need to do it together.”
      The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America has said that it will join the coalition. The American Association of Exporters and Importers, Joint Industry Group and the Customs and International Trade Bar Association have until the end of the month to join. “You’re either in or on the sidelines,” Finnegan said.
      BACM, which comprises 22 of the country’s largest importers, was formed last year with the eye to modernize Customs’ import processes and procedures.
      Finnegan said the newly formed industry coalition will likely communicate its “unified” views on a designated Internet Web-site, but the coalition members still have to decide on that.