World Trade - September 2008 - (Page 46) SECURITY James R. Tourtellotte/ U.S. Customs and Border Protection The Benefits and Challenges of Electronic Customs Filing A primer for shippers. BY ORYST DYDYNSKY AND ROBERT FOLEY cargo security and deter terrorist and criminal threats. An integral part of those steps is the electronic exchange of data and real-time visibility into the movement of goods, as well as standardization of data and processes. Security initiatives driving change J ust when operators thought they had the global logistics marketplace figured out, customs agencies around the world threw new ingredients into the mix to further muddy the waters. Security is the new buzzword in the movement of goods across international borders, which means that the days of just transporting a shipment have become a thing of the past. In fact, the movement of data and documents has now become nearly as important as the movement of the goods themselves. If information does not precede the arrival of goods, shipments may be turned away or denied loading onto the conveyance. This has caused many shippers and service providers dealing with international trade to review their entire business processes relating to the clearance of shipments entering foreign countries. Added to that is the trade industry’s vulnerability to a wide range of security threats, from handling of hazardous materials to theft and potential terrorist threats. The onus is on the industry as a whole, and all parties involved in the shipment process, to take steps to ensure 2008 A number of security initiatives are being implemented by regulatory bodies and government agencies; these include increased cargo inspections, heightened physical security of cargo facilities, security training for cargo workers, and stricter controls over access to cargo carriers, containers and operations areas. Today, inspection technology is also an integral part of making the cargo industry safer and more secure. We are now seeing everything from explosive detection systems (EDS) to biometric identification systems. Since 9/11, the 2002 Trade Act and similar regulations have been put in place to ensure that unsafe shipments do not cross borders. Meeting these initiatives requires better coordination and visibility between trade community partnerships, gov- 46 WORLD TRADE SEPTEMBER
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