NCBFAA WANTS FMC’s ELECTRONIC FILING RULES TO ENSURE CONFIDENTIALITY

NCBFAA WANTS FMCÆS ELECTRONIC FILING RULES TO ENSURE CONFIDENTIALITY    The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America said it would support a proposed rule to have ocean transportation intermediaries electronically file specific forms with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission, as long as the FMC would ensure confidentiality of proprietary information.
   An FMC Notice of Inquiry sought comments on requiring OTIs to electronically file forms, including FMC-18, which covers applications for licenses, qualifying individuals and changes in business structures, and forms FMC-48 and 67-69, which pertain to insurance coverage and bonds.
   “Much of this data is highly proprietary and confidential, especially that on form FMC-18,” the NCBFAA said. “The commission needs to be mindful of the need to ensure that certain data fields remain confidential and available only to authorized and appropriate government scrutiny.”
   The association, which represents nearly 700 member companies, also asked that any rules in this area be “optional and permissive, since some OTIs do not have the in-house technological capacity to accommodate such electronic filing.”
   The NCBFAA noted the benefits electronic filing would bring to the industry, including access to more information and better use of resources.
   “Having the industry submit such information electronically would likely eliminate a substantial amount of data entry on the part of the commission staff, and accordingly free up scare resources for other projects,” the association said.