WASHINGTON: US Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP) is looking for a mix of data and dialogue to cope with the rising tide of e-commerce in illegal drug shipments and counterfeit goods.
In its battle against the rising tide, it will require new tools, the agency said as it officially unveiled an e-commerce strategy that identifies four broad goals.
It aims to bolster CPB’s legal and regulatory authorities to better address emerging threats.
This will be used to develop risk segmentation processes, improve targeting and realign resources, as well as to come up with a scheme to incentivise compliance from all stakeholders.
All affected operations will be enhanced and adapted to respond to supply chain dynamics created by e-commerce, with an emphasis on risk-based enforcement using state-of -the-art techniques and technology.
CBP wants to drive compliance through a combination of enforcement resources and incentives. One element is an e-commerce ‘known shipper’ programme.
The agency hopes to facilitate international trade standards for e-commerce. This will involve co-operation with other agencies and the global customs community, the exploration of technology to exchange information and the promotion of a better understanding of cross-border trade rights and responsibilities.
CBP commissioner Kevin McAleenan said the dramatic rise in e-commerce parcels entering the US was a top priority this year, alongside taking advantage of new technologies.
According to one source, over 125 million e-commerce packages entered the US last year on express carriers, with another 330m packages brought in by the US Postal Service. This year, CBP anticipates over 400m packages through the postal service and another 150m via express carriers. This translates into more than 1.4m imported every day.
“Mail is skyrocketing,” said Tom Overacker, assistant director, cargo targeting, at the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Dallas this month.
