Report of the WCO
Private Sector Consultative Group
to the SAFE Working Group
16 November 2011
Carol West
Chair, WCO Private Sector Consultative Group
Participants in 21st PSCG Meeting,
14-15 November 2011













AAEI
APL
Boeing
BP
De La Rue International
Deutsche Post DHL
FedEx
FIATA
Fonterra
GEA
GM
Hutchison Port Holdings
IAPH












IATA
IBM
ICC
IFCBA
IRU
Limited Brands
Microsoft
Renault Nissan
OPORA Russia
Pfizer Global Manufacturing
Samsung Electronics Company
WSC
Highlights of 21st PSCG Meeting





Air cargo security
SAFE Review
 AEO Template
 Time limits
PSCG Roadmap review
Globally Networked Customs
Financial recovery: business views
Air Cargo Security

PSCG is following with great interest and concern
the discussions on air cargo security at both WCO
and ICAO

While we appreciate the initiatives of the two
organizations to work more closely together, we
are concerned that the cooperation and
coordination has not yet led to a common and
joint approach to aviation security
Air Cargo Security
(continued)

It is of utmost importance that there is a single
definition of high risk cargo for aviation security
that drives the determination of a “do not load”
message prior to the departure of the aircraft,
preventing a real and immediate threat to life and
safety

We encourage the WCO and ICAO to strengthen
coordination efforts to arrive at a common high
risk cargo definition for aviation security purposes
SAFE Review: AEO Template

Transformation of PSCG template, work is almost
complete

Appreciate contribution of WCO members as well
as the private sector in raising awareness of the
importance of a harmonized approach to AEO
standards and programs

PSCG priorities remain: the recognition of related
companies’ AEO status in a single country with a
single application for all legal entities, and mutual
recognition of AEO status between countries
Time Limits

PSCG congratulates the working group and its
facilitator for preparing an excellent report,
ensuring that all points of view are on the table

In our March report, we said the distinction
between cargo reporting and goods declaration is
important to maintain and a fundamental question
is “at what point is the information most authentic
and who is best able to provide it?”
Time Limits
(continued)

PSCG is not concerned that consensus hasn’t yet
been reached on this complex subject, we
understand this is not an easy task

PSCG recommends that time be taken to learn
from the experience of current pilot projects,
which are constructively engaging the private
sector, so that a practical, effective and
sustainable solution can be found
PSCG Roadmap Review

Consensus that the time is right for a review of
the PSCG Roadmap

PSCG reaffirms our strong commitment to
contribute to the work of the SAFE Working Group
– we value the unique opportunity to partner with
the WCO and its members and add value to all
initiatives under SAFE. This is our first priority.
PSCG Roadmap Review
(continued)

Customs in the 21st century: our objective is to
raise awareness of policy makers that Customs
administrations are in a unique position to
facilitate legitimate global trade

We support initiatives that enhance transparency,
efficiency, predictability, accountability,
simplification, standardization and coordination of
border management.
PSCG Roadmap Review
(continued)

Capacity Building: our context is how trade can
better assist the process of trade facilitation and
support Customs in the faster movement and
clearance of goods, and we expect that some of
this work will relate back to SAFE and
implementation of AEO programmes and benefits

A cross-cutting priority for the Roadmap is
Customs-business partnership

In all our work, we recognize the importance of
the positive impacts of our recommendations on
SMEs
Globally Networked Customs

Thanks to Mike Weeding and S.P. Sahu for a
comprehensive and timely briefing

There is some PSCG disappointment that original
scope has been narrowed to exclude other
government agencies, even though the
identification of utility blocks has been extensive

PSCG members agreed that problems at the
border are most often not Customs, but
requirements of other government agencies and
we would hope for renewed efforts for an
integrated solution under GNC which includes
those agencies
Financial Recovery

PSCG usually reports to the Policy Commission on
the global financial recovery, always an agenda
item at our meetings

PSCG members agreed that there is increasing
importance of emerging markets/economies
Financial Recovery
(continued)

Continued concern with the Eurozone crisis

PSCG has observed continued Customs
institutional knowledge drain due to limited
resources in difficult times. We are aware of the
challenges and the need for governments to
invest in Customs knowledge, management and
people.
As always. . .
We welcome your comments!

www.wcopscg.org

cwest@ifcba.org