Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) Recap

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trade Advisory Committee, known as the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC), convened in Arlington, Virginia on June 14, 2023. The meeting signaled the culmination of the 21st Century Customs Framework Task Force, a collaborative effort established in 2021 to modernize trade.

1. 21st Century Customs Framework Task Force Conclusion: After years of industry-government consultations, CBP's Senior Official Performing the Duties of Commissioner, Troy A. Miller, acknowledged the task force's contribution. He assured continued dialogue and cooperation on trade modernization. Tom West, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, U.S. Department of Treasury, praised the unique public-private collaboration.

2. The Role of Collaboration: Successful operations like the recent fentanyl smuggling interdictions underscored the value of collaboration with various law enforcement agencies. Miller emphasized that similar cooperation would be crucial for the evolution of CBP's cargo processing system, Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), into ACE 2.0. ACE 2.0 aims to provide CBP and other agencies with superior quality data, often in near real time, from traditional as well as non-traditional actors, thereby augmenting supply chain visibility.

3. ACE 2.0 Development: However, the commencement of ACE 2.0 development, which is not expected to begin before 2025, is contingent upon authorization and funding. Meanwhile, CBP is testing some ACE 2.0 features through Silicon Valley Innovation Program projects.

4. Continuing Education for Licensed Customs Brokers Final Rule: DHS Secretary Mayorkas signed this rule on June 12, amending CBP regulations to require ongoing education for individual customs broker license holders and establishing a framework for administering this requirement.

5. Green Trade Innovation and Incentives Forum: Slated for July 11, this forum, hosted by CBP at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Virginia, will foster discussion about green trade among trade community members, academia, government officials, and others.

6. COAC 17th Term Application: Preparations are underway for COAC's 17th term, as the 16th term ends in early 2024. The application process for new members has recently concluded.

7. World Customs Organization's Secretary General Election: CBP's nominee, Ian Saunders, is a candidate for the position. The election result will be shared with COAC later in the summer.

COAC Trade Co-chairs, Brian White of Intel Corporation and Kathryn Wilkins of Alliance Operating Services, reiterated the committee's commitment to deliberating in-depth and reaching consensus on trade topics, aiming to represent the broader trade community effectively.

The broader trade community expressed a need for meaningful legislative trade facilitation measures to endorse CBP’s 21st Century Customs Framework package. 

The next public COAC meeting is scheduled for September 20, 2023.