COAC CREATES COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE IMPORT STUDY

COAC CREATES COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE IMPORT STUDY    The Treasury Advisory Committee on Customs Commercial Operations has formed a steering committee to oversee a proposed study to modernize Customs’ import process.
   The study is part of legislation formed by the U.S. Business Alliance for Customs Modernization. In the legislation, known as H.R. 4868 (formerly H.R. 4337), Congress will mandate that the Treasury Secretary undertake a six-month study into how Customs should reduce or eliminate outdated procedures in the import clearance process.
   The study must also consider what data must be filed at the time of cargo release and what data should be reported at a later date in an importer activity summary statement.
   The COAC steering committee will be co-chaired by John P. Simpson, deputy assistant secretary of Treasury’s Office of Regulatory, Tariff and Trade, and Leslie K.B. Cazas, corporate manager of Nissan North America’s Customs Administration Group. The committee will also consist of 10 COAC members from the importing, freight forwarding/customs brokerage and law professions. The committee will begin its work on Oct. 1, pending the passage of the legislation.
   H.R. 4868 is part of the proposed miscellaneous trade bill, which is scheduled for a vote in the House this week. If passed, the legislation will be sent to the Senate.