CBP Announces COAC Meeting Date, Releases Agenda

The Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations (COAC) for CBP will next meet Jan. 13 in New Orleans, CBP said in a notice (here).

The COAC will hear from the following subcommittees on the topics listed below and then will review, deliberate, and formulate recommendations on how to proceed on those topics:

• The Trade Modernization Subcommittee will discuss the progress of the Centers of Excellence and Expertise Uniformity (“Centers”) Working Group. The subcommittee will provide an update on their review of the original COAC recommendations for Centers and what areas they have identified for Centers to develop uniform policies, processes and strategies, with consideration of an industry-focused and account-based approach. The subcommittee will also discuss the progress of the International Engagement and Trade Facilitation Working Group which is identifying examples of best practices in the U.S. and abroad that facilitate trade and could be applied globally. Additionally, the subcommittee will also discuss the formation of a Role of the Broker 2016 working group to provide updated recommendations for revising 19 CFR 111.
• The Exports Subcommittee Manifest Working Group will discuss the upcoming Air Manifest Pilot and the refocusing/renewal of the Post Departure Filing Working Group (formally Option 4 workgroup).
• The One U.S. Government Subcommittee will discuss progress of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Single Window effort and the previous COAC recommendations related to this matter. The subcommittee will provide input on trade readiness and partner government agencies’ readiness for the upcoming February 28, 2016, ACE implementation of the Single Window. There will also be an update from the North American Single Window Vision Working Group.
• The Trade Enforcement and Revenue Collection Subcommittee will discuss the progress made on the Intellectual Property Rights Working Group and the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Working Group, and outline the plans for the Bond Working Group.
• The Global Supply Chain Subcommittee will review and discuss recommendations related to the Pipeline Working Group and also provide an update on pilot discussions with industry.
• The Trusted Trader Subcommittee will report on the status of the Trusted Trader Pilot, the next steps for implementation, and the vision of an enhanced Trusted Trader concept that includes engagement with CBP to include relevant partner government agencies with a potential for international interoperability.

(Federal Register 12/24/15)