WCO Endorses Framework of Standards to Secure International Trade
On December 8, 2004 the World Customs Organization (WCO), which represents the customs administrations of 164 countries, endorsed for the first time a Framework of Standards to secure and facilitate international trade. The Framework, which is based upon principles designed and implemented by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is designed to encourage cooperation between worldwide customs administrations to secure international supply chains and facilitate the movement of goods. In addition, the Framework is intended to create an international, consistent system for identifying businesses that offer a high degree of security. In return the companies are supposed to receive tangible benefits including the expedited clearance of low risk cargo through customs. The WCO Framework shares some key elements with current CBP initiatives such as the 24-Hour Rule, the Advanced Targeting System housed at the National Targeting Center, the Container Security Initiative (CSI) and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).
Further information about the WCO can be found at the following link: www.wcoomd.org/ie/En/AboutUs/aboutus.html
|posted by Douglas N. Jacobson| Permalink 
