CBP is "conducting integration testing to prove compatibility of a blockchain platform with multiple partner systems," according to an update from the emerging technologies working group ahead of the Oct. 3 Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) meeting. CBP began an initial "proof of concept" in September as the agency considers the potential for the distributed ledger technology (see 1808200040). "Portions of the NAFTA / CAFTA import process, specifically verification of intellectual property and relationships between licensees and licensors, have been identified as good candidates for improvement if a transition to a more digitized, decentralized system is undertaken," it said.
House Natural Resources Committee ranking member Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., asked in a Sept. 19 letter that the Government Accountability Office review CBP's enforcement of a prohibition on imports made with forced labor. Grijalva specifically seeks that the GAO look at "illicit labor practices related to the seafood supply chain." Since the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act closed a forced labor loophole in 2016, "CBP's level of enforcement of Section 307 does not match the prevalence of forced labor in global supply chains," Grijalva said. The GAO letter is similar to another letter organized by Grijalva to be sent to the secretaries of the departments of Commerce, State and Homeland Security (see 1809100013).
House Natural Resources Committee ranking member Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., is circulating a letter among lawmakers to be sent to the secretaries of the departments of Commerce, State and Homeland Security that calls for tougher enforcement on forced labor involved in the seafood supply chain. "We urge your Departments to ensure that the United States does not import any seafood associated with human trafficking, from Thailand or any other country," the letter says. Grijalva is seeking other lawmakers to sign onto the letter by Sept. 12.
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet Oct. 3 in Washington, CBP said in a notice.
CBP released a list of best business practices for dealing with forced labor risks. The list mentions best practices for risk mitigation and internal controls. The document includes several questions involving an importer's "comprehensive understanding of the natural supply chain," written codes of conduct and the use of professionally recognized "objective audit standards" for internal controls.
CBP posted updated Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Minimum Security Criteria to the CTPAT portal and is seeking comments from CTPAT members, CBP said in a document posted ahead of the Aug. 1 Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) meeting. "In late July, CTPAT Members received an email from the program outlining the key elements of the socialization strategy -- including the development of Workbooks for each of the entities eligible for CTPAT membership which have been uploaded to the CTPAT Portal; the delivery of live webinars; and an agenda outlining a series of workshops that are being delivered throughout the United States by CTPAT field personnel," CBP said.
The departments of State, Treasury and Homeland Security jointly issued an advisory about the ban on goods made by North Korean nationals, the Office of Foreign Assets Control announced on July 23. The guidance is meant to "highlight the sanctions evasion tactics used by North Korea that could expose businesses -- including manufacturers, buyers, and service providers -- to sanctions compliance risks," it said. "Businesses should be aware of deceptive practices employed by North Korea in order to implement effective due diligence policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with applicable legal requirements across their entire supply chains." The advisory also provides information on the industries and countries known to have used North Korean labor. The use of North Korean labor is considered to be forced labor under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (see 1711070046). DHS released some frequently asked questions in late March on CAATSA enforcement (see 1804020018).
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet Aug. 1 by webinar, CBP said in a notice.
The Department of Homeland Security updated its Northern Border Strategy (NBS) for the first time since it was issued in 2012 (see 12060723), DHS said in a news release. DHS said the "strategy establishes a clear vision and concrete actions that will improve DHS’s efforts to safeguard our northern border against terrorist and criminal threats, facilitate the safe and efficient flow of lawful cross-border trade and travel, and strengthen cross-border critical infrastructure protection and community resilience."
BALTIMORE -- CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan told an audience of import and export professionals that CBP is going to use the White House directive on regulatory reform to edit regulations across many areas, including bonded warehouses, foreign-trade zones, vessel arrival, e-bonds and ending the requirement that customs brokers have local certification. McAleenan, who was speaking at the American Association of Exporters and Importers annual conference June 8, also touched on agency initiatives in improving screening of small packages, protecting trademarks and copyrights, and blocking shipments of goods produced with forced labor. He encouraged everyone to make e-allegations on forced labor, and said he just received one from junior high school students in Maine who are concerned about slave labor in the chocolate industry.