U.S., U.K. CUSTOMS TAKE ITP SYSTEM TO NEXT LEVEL

   U.S. and U.K. Customs say they are ready to move forward with their
efforts to electronically share international trade data.
   The system, the International Trade Prototype (ITP), has been in
development since 1996. The goal of the system is to send one set of
shipment data to satisfy import and export requirements of both countries.
   Four trade participants were approved to test phase one of the
prototype: General Motors, Philips, Xerox and Hewlett-Packard.
   In this next phase, the U.S. will engage in releasing cargo through ITP.
The system, a standalone, prototype system for U.S. Customs, is expected be rolled into the agency’s new umbrella system, the Automated Commercial Environment.
   Both agencies are taking applications from interested shippers. "We
encourage all shippers, including the ones already testing with ITP, to
apply for phase two," said Pamela J. McGuyer, ITP project coordinator for U.S. Customs.
   The customs agencies are considering expanding the system to other
countries and to include more complicated trade data, such as
countervailing, antidumping and quota shipments. The agencies also plan to use the system to create statistical and financial reports and entry
summaries.