BONNER: FINAL 24-HOUR RULING NEEDED SOON

BONNER: FINAL 24-HOUR RULING NEEDED SOON    U.S. Customs Service Commissioner Robert Bonner told industry executives last week the agency’s computer system could handle the requirements of a proposed ruling that calls for filing cargo manifest at least 24 hours in advance.
   Customs proposed the ruling in August requiring vessel operators to file cargo manifests with the agency 24 hours prior to loading in foreign ports.
   Bonner, who addressed'executives at a meeting of the Trade Support Network in Washington, said
   While many industry participants have questioned whether Customs’ computer system could handle the requested information, Bonner told executives at the Trade Support Network meeting in Washington that Customs is prepared to handle the large influx of date through its Automated Manifest System.
   “The system exists; it is fully operational. We are not asking for anything we can’t effectively use,' Bonner said.
   He stressed that a final ruling to be issued soon, so that terrorists will not use the supply chain as a conveyance for another terrorist attack against the United States. “Time is our enemy,” he said.
   Bonner said Customs will consider industry concerns, such as whether breakbulk carriers should be included in the ruling, and if the agency would protect certain types of manifest information. “But, beyond that, I don’t believe I can prudently comment regarding the precise nature of a final regulation,” he said.
   Bonner said the ruling is necessary to assure success of the Container Security Initiative, a program started in January that calls on foreign ports and authorities to work with Customs officials based at their ports to pre-screen containers before they leave for the United States. Customs targeted the top 20 mega-ports of the world to enlist; so far 11 ports from eight countries have joined CSI. These top 20 ports handle about 6 million containers annually shipped to U.S. seaports.