Executive Assistant Commissioner Asks for Suggestions on Expediting Cargo at Ports
Executive Assistant Commissioner AnnMarie Highsmith of CBP's Office of Trade reiterated that CBP is seeking industry input on its 21st Century Customs Framework (see 2109230031), but made no mention of Sen. Bill Cassidy's discussion draft of a Customs Modernization Act…
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that seems to cover a lot of the same ground (see 2111030035). The two areas on which no CBP discussion draft has yet been released are on providing CBP with more enforcement flexibility so that the agency can avoid "untimely and ineffective enforcement," she said; and a proposal on alternate sources of funding so that CBP isn't so reliant on annual appropriations. A CBP official had said in September that the agency may revisit the funding question after other portions of eventual legislation are enacted (see 2109230031). "It will be difficult to come to a final product that feels like success for everyone, but a collaborative solution is our goal and I’m committed to it," she said, at a keynote speech during a virtual conference of the U.S. Fashion Industry Association Nov. 9. Highsmith also encouraged USFIA members to give suggestions on how CBP can unkink the supply chain knots at ports. "CBP is closely monitoring the rising costs of shipping, particularly in the maritime environment," she said, and is working with port officials "to expedite cargo clearance."