10 December 2004

WCO adopts framework agreement on container security

The following article is excerpted from the 10 December 2004 edition of “American Shipper”.

The World Customs Organization Thursday endorsed a global supply chain security regime closely patterned on the U.S. model for identifying suspicious cargo containers ahead of time and streamlining the customs exam process for trusted shippers.

Meeting in Amman, Jordan, customs administrators approved a framework for securing and facilitating international trade. The WCO action comes at the behest of Robert Bonner, commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, who has pushed hard to internationalize programs such as the Container Security Initiative (CSI) and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), so importers and exporters can deal with a consistent set of security standards worldwide.

Under CSI, the U.S. and partner nations station inspectors in each other's ports to inspect cargo before departure. C-TPAT is a voluntary program for importers and transportation service providers to vouch for internal controls on the movement of goods in exchange for reduced cargo exams.

The framework agreement is non-binding since the WCO doesn't have the authority to draft international treaties, but is an effort to generate mutual cooperation in security matters.

The United States, the European Union and other countries that are trying to synchronize their cargo security regimes will try to use their economic leverage to convince other countries to similarly use advance information collection, risk management techniques and inspections of both outbound and inbound containers.