U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the World Customs Organization Speak Directly with SMEs about the Impact of Security Initiatives FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT
On October 18th, 2007 key Customs and Border Protection and World Customs Organization directors will address a unique seminar-webinar in Foster City, CA for small and medium global traders. The no-cost event, “10+2 and the Future of Customs Compliance plus What to Expect from the World Customs Organization,” will feature presentations by key compliance, facilitation and security representatives of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the World Customs Organization (WCO). A qualified group of SME importers and exporters will gather for the discussion and nationwide webinar broadcast which will address CBP and WCO post-9/11 security initiatives and their impact on SME customs compliance, costs and import-export operations. For more detailed information go to http://traderiskguaranty.com/tbiregister.aspx.
This is the first time CBP and the WCO will jointly discuss their post-9/11 security initiatives with U.S. SMEs. More importantly, the U.S. SMEs will have the opportunity to express their concerns about the impact of the proposed security initiatives directly to CBP and the WCO representatives without an intermediary speaking on their behalf. Typically, the large, multinational companies have the resources to provide input directly to CBP and the WCO while the SME global traders are represented by intermediaries such as customs brokers, freight forwarders, attorneys and accountants.
Mr. John Jurgutis, Program Director Security Filing (10+2), CBP, and Mr. Michael Schmitz, Director Facilitation and Compliance, WCO, are the featured speakers at the seminar-webinar. Mr. Jurgutis will address the live and national webinar audiences from Foster City and Mr. Schmitz will address these audiences from WCO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
Mr. Schmitz will discuss the WCO’s SAFE Framework of Standards and its impact on SME import-export operations and costs. Compliance with several of the proposed standards in SAFE, such as the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), have the potential to put SME’s at a competitive disadvantage against global traders with more resources to earn AEO status.
10+2 is a proposed Security Filing that will significantly affect the business operations of SME importers by requiring them to supply additional data elements earlier in the import transaction. Under CBP’s current thinking, the importer would be responsible for filing the complete, accurate, and timely importer elements of the Security Filing. Again, this initiative is likely to increase an SME’s cost of import-export without adequate input from SMEs.
Trade Bridge International representatives will follow CBP and the WCO on the agenda to address the problems created by the changes in security requirements. They will propose a partial, cost-saving solution: direct-filing of customs entries. Mr. Kelby Woodard, an expert on supply chain security, will provide guidance to SMEs on how to navigate the forthcoming changes in customs compliance with minimal expense. Ms. Karin Smith, a licensed customs broker, will guide SMEs through a live, online demonstration of the direct-filing solution: TRG Direct.
This is the second time CBP will address SMEs directly concerning the Security Filing, "10+2.". The first was in June 2007 in the Chicago area. “We are honored that CBP is again taking advantage of this opportunity to address an important group of U.S. importers and exporters. SMEs have very different needs and concerns than large and multinational companies. Often those needs get overlooked or unintentionally misrepresented. Smaller companies don’t have the resources to travel to as many conferences and events or to spend a lot of time researching future CBP and WCO actions that will affect them. CBP and the WCO fulfilling their commitment to SMEs by coming to them – at no cost,” commented Leslie Levy August, Secretary General of Trade Bridge International.
By offering the seminar via simultaneous webinar as well as live, many more SMEs across the country will be able to participate. The webinar format will allow SMEs to hear Jurgutis’s and Schmitz’s presentations via conference call, see the PowerPoint slides on their computer monitor and submit questions electronically. It is hoped that this will be the first of many programs by CBP and the WCO to keep SMEs informed about security, compliance and other relevant national and world customs issues.
Trade Bridge International, Inc. is a for-profit, internet based, Non Governmental Organization established in 2005 that works as an advocate for Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SME). Trade Bridge International (TBI) facilitates the exchange of information, concerns and direct communication between SME’s and representatives on Capitol Hill. Membership in Trade Bridge is free.
For additional information about Trade Bridge International contact Leslie Levy August at (800)408-4228 or at Info@TradeBridgeInternational.com or go to www.TradeBridgeInternational.com.
Website Link: http://www.tradebrdigeinternational.com | 
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