On June 17, 2015, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske’s remarks on recent collaboration projects between CBP and Mexico Customs, which he presented at the Woodrow Wilson Center - Mexico Institute in Washington, DC.
The main topics of focus included the following:
- U.S. and Mexico signed Mutual Recognition Arrangement signed in 2014
- Agreement formalizes compatibility between Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program and Mexico’s New Scheme of Certified Companies NEEC
- Each Customs Administration will extend benefits to members of the other’s supply chain security and trusted trader program
- MRA has already yielded important outcomes
- Both programs have exchanged information and participated in several trade events
- Programs have already designed strategy to recognize validations conducted by either program
- Single Window
- CBP working on implementation of Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and single window initiative
- Mexico has already deployed viable, active Single Window
- CBP’s Single Window team and Mexican Customs have worked closely to harmonize data set standards
- As the U.S. Single Window is fully implemented, CBP will continue to identify ways to connect these programs internationally
- Cargo Pre-Inspection Pilots
- Will be implemented at three locations, each lasting 180 days
Furthermore, CBP and Mexico Customs are collaborating on several port and inspection facility renewals.
In his speech, Kerlikowske reiterates that, “no single company, customs service, or law enforcement agency sees the complete picture of every facet of the supply chain. That’s why it’s imperative that we coordinate with our international partners and trade stakeholders to ensure that the supply chain stays secure and efficient.”
The press release can be accessed online at:
