WCO FORMS TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE INTERNATIONAL SUPPLY-CHAIN SECURITY

WCO FORMS TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE INTERNATIONAL SUPPLY-CHAIN SECURITY    The World Customs Organization has initiated a task force to find ways to improve international supply-chain security against terrorist acts, while facilitating legitimate trade.
   The task force was created from a resolution agreed upon by the heads of the world’s customs administrations in June.
   “Bringing together customs administrators, intergovernmental organizations, trade associations and those involved in air and maritime transport, the creation of the task force is the first step to develop new guidelines to simultaneously increase supply chain security and ensure the flow of interational trade,” the Brussels-based organization.
   The task force will consider improvements to:
   * Import, export and in-transit controls.
   * Technology and automation.
   * Advance electronic filings of customs data.
   * Risk management and assessment techniques for examining goods and conveyances.
   The WCO received impetus for the task force from the Group of Eight nations and the International Maritime Organization. The WCO said it views “co-operation between all those involved in the international trade process as essential to ensure that control is adequate and that legitimate trade is facilitated with a minimum of inconvenience.”
   Representatives from 50 countries and 25 organizations kicked off the task force at WCO’s headquarters on Sept. 5.
   Kunio Mikuriya, deputy security general of the WCO, said security issues have “the potential to cause distortion of trade patterns and severe damage to national economies” and that it’s important for customs administration to have efficient controls.
   The task force plans to complete its work by June next year.
   For more information about the formation of the WCO task force refer to August American Shipper, pages 10-13.