CSMS Message: 94-001389

SUBJECT : SECOND TRILATERAL BRIEFING

TO: IMPORTERS
EXPORTERS, BROKERS, FORWARDERS, CARRIERS FOR NORTH AMERICAN TRADE

FROM: COMMISSIONER

SUBJECT: NORTH AMERICAN TRADE PROCESSING VISION AND PROTOTYPE
NOTICE AND INVITATION TO SECOND TRILATERAL BRIEFING

FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS THE U.S., CANADIAN AND MEXICAN CUSTOMS
ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPING PROPOSALS FOR STANDARDIZING
AND EXPEDITING TRADE THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE INFORMATION
EXCHANGE AND AUTOMATION WORKING GROUP. A VISION DEVELOPED BY THE
WORKING GROUP PROPOSES THAT THE CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS OF NORTH
AMERICA SHOULD AGREE TO USE NATURALLY OCCURRING, STANDARD
COMMERCIAL DATA AS THE BASIS FOR CUSTOMS PROCESSING, RATHER THAN
REPEATED VERSIONS OF THIS INFORMATION ON DIFFERENT CUSTOMS FORMS.
THE THREE COUNTRIES HAVE PROPOSED TO USE THESE DATA ELEMENTS WITH
STANDARD DEFINITIONS AND CODING. THE GROUP HAS ALSO ADDRESSED
ISSUES ON HOW TO EXCHANGE THIS INFORMATION ELECTRONICALLY AMONG
THE TRADE COMMUNITY AND THE CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS THROUGH THE
USE OF STATE-OF-THE-ART VALUE ADDED NETWORKS (VAN'S) AND
RFID TRANSPONDER SMART CARD TECHNOLOGIES. THE INFORMATION
EXCHANGE AND AUTOMATION WORKING GROUP HAS FURTHER PROPOSED A
PROTOTYPE SYSTEM THAT WILL BE USED TO DEMONSTRATE HOW NORTH
AMERICAN TRADE PROCESSES COULD FUNCTION.

THE NEXT STEP IS TO TAKE THIS PROTOTYPE PROPOSAL TO THE TRADE
COMMUNITY. I, ALONG WITH MY CANADIAN AND MEXICAN COUNTERPARTS,
HAVE AUTHORIZED A SERIES OF TRILATERAL BRIEFINGS FOR THE TRADE
COMMUNITY. THESE BRIEFINGS WILL BE LED JOINTLY BY THE THREE
CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS.

THE FIRST BRIEFING, HOSTED BY MEXICO, WAS HELD IN JUAREZ ON
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1994. THIS MEETING WAS WELL ATTENDED BY
A REPRESENTATIVE CROSS SECTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMUNITY FROM THE THREE COUNTRIES. THIS MEETING PROVIDED THE
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO THE THREE CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS AND THE
TRADE COMMUNITY TO MEET AND FORM A PARTNERSHIP IN THE DEVELOPMENT
OF A NORTH AMERICAN TRADE PROTOTYPE.

THE SECOND BRIEFING, HOSTED BY CANADA, WILL BE HELD IN TORONTO ON
JANUARY 11 AND 12. THE TORONTO MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE
SHERATON CENTRE, 123 QUEEN STREET WEST. THE FIRST DAY WILL BE A
GENERAL INFORMATIONAL SESSION FOR THOSE WHO WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND
THE JUAREZ MEETING. THERE WILL BE SEVERAL PRESENTATIONS AND A
QUESTION ANSWER SESSION. THIS WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE
SIMCOE-DUFFERIN ROOM FROM 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. THE SECOND DAY IS
FOR THOSE COMPANIES WHO MAY WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROTOTYPE.
THE INTENT IS TO GO INTO MORE DETAIL FOR THE PROTOTYPE, TO
PROVIDE AN ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE TO THE PROJECT, AND TO
IDENTIFY SUB-GROUPS' TASKS AND OBJECTIVES.

THOSE NEEDING ACCOMODATIONS FOR THE MEETING MAY CALL THE SHERATON
CENTRE AT 416-361-1000 FOR RESERVATIONS. THE HOTEL HAS OFFERED
A GROUP RATE OF $120.00 CDN. IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS A PARTICIPANT
IN THE CUSTOMS NAFTA GROUP.

IN ORDER TO ASSIST OUR CANADIAN COLLEAGUES IN THE PLANNING FOR
MEETINGS PLEASE CONTACT BILL NOLLE, OFFICE OF STRATEGIC TRADE,
INTRADEX, AT 202-927-0541 (VOICE), OR 202-927-0335 (FAX) IF YOU
PLAN TO ATTEND.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
IN WASHINGTON, DC: BILL NOLLE 202-927-0541
IN OTTAWA, ONTARIO: TIM HUNT 613-954-7515
IN MEXICO CITY, DF: ALEJANDRO REGALDO 525-228-3934

GEORGE J. WEISE
COMMISSIONER