10+2 could be served day before Thanksgiving

U.S. Customs and Border Protection plans to publish the intensely debated "10+2" rule in the Federal Register on Nov. 24 pending a positive review by key oversight committees in Congress, according to spokeswoman Jenny Burke.

   The White House on Thursday completed its review of the rule requiring electronic advance information about ocean shipments from importers and carriers, according to an order posted on the federal government's Web site for regulatory developments.

   Customs and Border Protection now has authorization from the Office of Management and Budget to issue the final rulemaking for the Importer Security Filing, which will be used to analyze the potential security risk of container shipments that might contain weapons or other material smuggled by terrorists.

   The agency subsequently notified the Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy and Commerce committees in the House and the Finance and Commerce, Science and Transportation committees in the Senate of its intent to move forward with the rulemaking, Burke said. The letter included a copy of the final draft.

   Left out of the formal notification process were the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees.

   CBP is waiting for comments from Capitol Hill, and any modifications of the text to address any concerns could push back the rule's tentative release date, Burke acknowledged.

   Many sectors of the international trade community are concerned about potential financial and operational burdens created by the 10+2 rule.

   Meanwhile, President-elect Barack Obama's transition team is making it clear that Obama plans to quickly use executive orders upon taking office to reverse Bush administration orders on several issues. Whether an Obama administration would use executive powers to freeze regulations that have not yet taken effect by that time is unclear. There are no signs so far that Obama opposes 10+2.

Source: American Shipper