BACM TO CONTINUE PUSH FOR CUSTOMS MODERNIZATION IN 2001

BACM TO CONTINUE PUSH FOR CUSTOMS MODERNIZATION IN 2001    The U.S. Business Alliance for Customs Modernization has voted unanimously to continue its ad-hoc coalition of major U.S. importers through 2001.
   BACM’s goal next year is to “generate enthusiasm within the trade
community, and to build a record within Congress and the Administration for customs oversight hearings and reform legislation in the 107th Congress.”
   The priorities are to streamline and modernize the customs entry process, improve the Customs Service’s “risk management” programs and processes, and support changes to the merchandise processing fee.
   The coalition was created in 1999 by a dozen importers to improve the way Customs conducted its audits of import records. BACM quickly evolved into a coalition that supports and promotes customs modernization “resulting in consistent, reasonable, and simple customs processes and procedures.”
   BACM has 24 member firms, with the two newest members Caterpillar and Shell. Together, these firms annually file about 2 million import entries valued at more than $130 billion.
   The group is chaired by James P. Finnegan of Sony Corp., and co-chaired by Tim Van Oost of BP. Leslie Cazas of Nissan North America is BACM’s secretariat and Richard Belanger of Washington law firm Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy serves as counsel and legislative advocate.
   On Dec. 6, BACM, the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Joint Industry Group and the American Association of Exporters and Importers are hosting a private-sector trade meeting to begin laying the groundwork for a Customs reform agenda. More than 120 executives are expected to participate.