The American Trucking Associations praised the House of Representatives for passing a Customs reauthorization that improves the safety, security, and efficiency of cross-border trucking and urges the Senate to quickly follow suit.
“Trucks move the majority of freight between the United States and its neighbors Mexico and Canada,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “This compromise bill will help move that commerce safely and efficiently across those borders and we urge not only its quick passage, but urge President Obama to sign it into law.”
Among the key provisions for trucking including improvements to Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the Customs process generally, including exempting residue in bulk cargo containers from full duty requirements (a factor of particular concern for National Tank Truck Carriers and its members involved in cross-border movements of chemicals and other liquid bulk cargoes).
ATA highlighted the following factors in the legislation that have direct impact on trucking:
- Continued authorization of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and International Trade Data Systems (ITDS) funding through 2018. (§ 106)
- Codifying the President’s Executive Order directing all agencies to be full participants in ITDS by December 31, 2016. (§ 107)
- Exempting residue of bulk cargo contained in tank trailers from duty requirements. (§ 905)
- Requiring Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to actively work towards mutual recognition with other countries’ trusted trader programs and to submit yearly reports on the agency’s progress to Congress. (§§ 101)
- Directing CBP to “ensure that participants in programs” such as the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism “receive significant and measurable trade benefits, including preclearance of merchandise.” (§ 101)
- Directing CBP to establish priorities and performance measures to improve their management of in-bond transfers, among others. (§ 103)
- Renewing the authorization for the newly named Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee and increasing the Treasury Department’s involvement in its management. (§ 109)
- Permanently preempting Internet access and Internet commerce taxes. (§ 922)