OMB begins review of “10+2” rule

OMB begins review of “10+2” rule

OMB begins review of “10+2” rule

U.S. Department of Homeland Security policymakers finally completed their review and last week sent to the Office of Management and Budget the draft of a proposed rule requiring U.S. importers or cargo owners to file 10 additional data elements with U.S. Customs 24 hours prior to vessel loading overseas.
   The so-called “10+2” rulemaking also would require ocean carriers to submit two pieces of data about onboard cargo to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The data is being collected to improve risk analysis and inspection procedures for inbound freight.
   Jayson Ahern, CBP's deputy commissioner, provided the update on the rule’s status during a presentation in Alexandria, Va. before the Maritime Security Council, a trade group representing maritime professionals with security responsibilities.
   Ahern raised hope that OMB could sign off on CBP’s proposal by mid-November, followed by publication of the notice of proposed rulemaking and 60-day public comment period. The final rule could be published early next year, following review of public input, and a one-year phased compliance process would culminate with full enforcement beginning in early 2009, he speculated.
   His boss, Commissioner Ralph Basham, had said earlier this month that he believed a notice of proposed rulemaking would not be issued until early 2008 — a timetable at least two or three months behind Ahern’s projection.
   OMB reviews all regulations to make sure they dovetail with administration policy or don’t cause undo economic harm.