21 CCF: What Can We Expect?

In the ever-changing landscape of international trade and relations, the Customs & Border Patrol Agency believes it has fallen behind in modern times. The CBP created the idea of 21 CCF — the 21st Century Customs Framework — in 2018 when they had their first public meeting on the new framework. A task force was created after, which includes over 90 major players in the trade and manufacturing industries, as well as trade-related organizations. Just a few of them are UPS, FedEx, DHL, Caterpillar, GM, and Walmart. CBP is “cognizant of the need to stay modern [to] meet the challenges of an evolving trade landscape,” and is looking to overhaul the entire process of imports and exports.

The end goals of 21 CFF are laid out in CBP’s communiqués. Overall, CBP is looking to streamline the entire supply chain. The goals are to move safer, ethically produced, legitimate goods more quickly and securely across the border, allow domestic industry to compete on a level playing field, and employ more innovative trade practices.

How does 21 CCF accomplish this, one might ask? Well, the framework, in CBP’s words, plans to:

• Enhance facilitation & security
• Define Customs & trade responsibilities
• Employ intelligent enforcement
• Protect & enhance Customs infrastructure through secure funding

CBP has been fairly vague about the details of the changes. The question is, what do these changes mean for brokers’ day-to-day lives? According to a Forbes article by Francisco Ramirez, brokers may see some significant changes. There will be stricter recordkeeping regulations, the requirement to report importers suspected of criminal activities and conspiracy, and perhaps most importantly, more processing paperwork.

Only time will tell how the updated framework plan will affect brokers and clients, but as always, change usually leads to more success in any industry.

If you have any questions about the future of logistics and working with the changes in our industry, feel free to contact us at sales@allynintl.com.

Contributor: Robert J. Freeman

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Sources: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, [Docket No. USCBP–2018–0045], Public Meeting: 21st Century Customs Framework

Forbes

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Allyn International is dedicated to providing high quality, customer centric services and solutions for the global marketplace. Allyn's core products include transportation management, logistics sourcing, freight forwarding, supply chain consulting, tax management and global trade compliance. Allyn clients range from small local businesses to Fortune 500 firms. Allyn conducts business in more than 20 languages and has extensive experience in both developed and emerging markets. Highly trained experts are positioned throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Allyn’s regional headquarters are strategically located in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.A., Shanghai, P.R. China and Prague, Czech Republic. For more information, visit www.allynintl.com