USCIB Hosts ICC ATA Carnet Administrative Committee Meeting 

Last week, USCIB hosted the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World Chambers Federation (WCF) ATA Carnet Administrative Committee (ATAC) in New York.

Chaired by USCIB Chief Operating Officer Declan Daly and Henk Wit (Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK), the discussions revolved around important topics such as the 2024 ATA Carnet work plan, preparation for the global transition of e-ATA (digital ATA Carnet), ATAC composition, global issuing and claims statistics, new members’ accession, and ATA Carnet administration.  

This biannual meeting gathered participants from 13 national guaranteeing associations. 

“USCIB was delighted to host this year’s spring ATAC meeting at USCIB’s NY office, particularly since it has been nearly a decade since we held a U.S.-based meeting,” said Daly. “I look forward to this year’s work plan and the exciting milestones we have already achieved this year, namely the first ever test processing of a digital ATA Carnet last month at JFK.” 

Last month, USCIB helped coordinate a highly successful U.S. digital ATA Carnet (e-ATA) test processing at John F. Kennedy Airport in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Roanoke Insurance Group Inc. and Rock-it Cargo. This first e-ATA test in the United States was done in conjunction with the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) and UK Customs (HMRC), which processed the e-ATA for import at London’s Heathrow airport. 

The 13th WTO Ministerial Conference Falls Short But Delivers Some Wins for Industry

Renewal of e-commerce moratorium and intellectual property rights secured

New York, N.Y., March 04, 2024—The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) welcomes outcomes from the WTO 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi on two key objectives for U.S. industry: a two-year extension of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions and a rejection of efforts to waive intellectual property protections for COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics.

“If the moratorium had expired it would have been an historic setback, representing an unprecedented termination of a multilateral agreement that has allowed the digital economy to take root and grow over the past 25 years,” said President and CEO Whitney Baird who represented USCIB at the ministerial last week. “USCIB is similarly pleased that the WTO failed to extend a TRIPS waiver to diagnostics and therapeutics, a move that would have undermined innovative industries, global health security and international rule of law.”

Another positive outcome, according to Baird, 72 nations officially adopted the Joint Statement Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation, simplifying rules for over 90 percent of the world’s trade in services. USCIB joined the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), for which it serves as the U.S. national committee, in welcoming the move. The agreement text had been concluded in December 2021. USCIB also hails progress at the WTO mapping out linkages and exploring best practices in consultation with industry on trade related aspects of circularity, climate, plastics and other policies aimed at advancing sustainability goals.

The outcomes in Abu Dhabi were mixed, however. USCIB is disappointed that MC13 failed to deliver agreements on agriculture, dispute settlement and fisheries, adding uncertainty to a multilateral trading system already under intense strain. “USCIB looks forward to working with the WTO to deliver outcomes in these sectors favorable to U.S. industry,” said Baird. “As the cornerstone for open, fair and reliable global trade, the WTO is too important to industry to fail.”

USCIB was on the ground in Abu Dhabi with a strong showing of member companies and the ICC, promoting robust digital and innovation safeguards, U.S. leadership on disciplines for sustainable trade, and enhanced roles for plurilateral negotiations and stakeholder engagement at the WTO.

About USCIB
USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence.  Its members include U.S. based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of the economy, with operations in every region of the world, generating $5 trillion in annual revenues and employing over 11 million workers worldwide. As the U.S. affiliate to several leading international business organizations, including the ICC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade and development. More at  www.uscib.org.

USCIB Helps Facilitate First Digital ATA Carnet at JFK Airport

New York, N.Y., February 21, 2024—The United States Council for International Business (USCIB), the National Guaranteeing Association (NGA) and Issuing Association for the ATA Carnet (aka the “Passport for Goods®”) in the U.S., has facilitated the first ever U.S. digital ATA Carnet (e-ATA) test processing at John F. Kennedy Airport in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Roanoke Insurance Group Inc. and Rock-it Cargo. The test will also be done in conjunction with the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) and UK Customs (HMRC), processing the e-ATA for import at London’s Heathrow airport.

“We’re thrilled to launch the official test-phase for e-ATA Carnet processing in the United States,” said USCIB Chief Operating Officer Declan Daly. “With the help of our partners, including CBP, the International Chamber of Commerce World Chamber Federation (ICC WCF), Roanoke, one of our service providers, and Rock-it, we’ve taken a crucial and exciting first step to finally bring the ATA Carnet into the 21st century.”

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection is honored to collaborate with the U.S. Council for International Business and our counterparts in the United Kingdom on this first test of a digital ATA Carnet,” said Francis J. Russo, director of CBP’s New York Field Operations. “Carnets have long been an effective method to control and release materials that are temporarily imported.  Digitizing the process to align with modern technical capabilities will make it far more efficient than continuing to rely on paper,” added Russo.

The test processing was conducted ahead of the TPi Awards Ceremony in London, England, which will be held on February 26th. The Ceremony is the live events industry’s largest celebration, recognizing the feats achieved in the world of live touring in the past 12 months. USCIB selected Rock-it Cargo to participate in the e-ATA Carnet testing phase due to the nature of Rock-it’s business and because Rock-it Cargo is one of the largest ATA Carnet users in the U.S. Rock-it Cargo is a white glove, time critical, freight forwarder focused on live entertainment and TV production, which are highly dependent on ATA Carnets to ensure the show goes on.

Declan Daly (USCIB) and Amanda Barlow (Rock-it Cargo) with the TPi Awards microphones

According to Daly, TPi, Sennheiser and Rock-it Cargo have co-sponsored two bespoke microphones for use during the award ceremony. These microphones were decorated by Perry Meeks, a costume designer with whom Rock-it has worked on many live entertainment tours. The microphones will be hand-carried by Rock-it to the United Kingdom using the first U.S. issued e-ATA Carnet to enter them into the UK for the awards ceremony and then returned to the U.S. post show.

“It’s great that HMRC is at the forefront of piloting digital Carnets alongside our counterparts in the USA, and we’re really pleased to enable the first digital carnet movement between the two countries,” said Sally Beggs, deputy director for Customs Policy and Strategy at HM Revenue and Customs in the UK.

Davor A. McKinley, head of ATA Carnets and Compliance, UK National ATA Carnet Organization (UKNATACO) added, “UKNATACO is delighted that United States Council for International Business (USCIB) chose United Kingdom as the destination for their first ever digital Carnet. This clearly highlights the close working relationship between the two countries and demonstrates that digitalising ATA Carnets will play a pivotal role in strengthening our mutual trade further.”

USCIB has appointed two independent Carnet Service Providers to issue ATA Carnets: Boomerang Carnets and Roanoke Insurance Group Inc.

The ATA Carnet is a unified international Customs document that permits duty-free and tax-free temporary import of goods into over 100 countries and customs territories for up to one year. Annually, the global system issues close to 200,000 ATA Carnets for goods valued at over $25 billion dollars. The e-ATA Carnet (aka digital ATA Carnet), which was first developed by ICC WCF in 2016 and is supported by the WCO (World Customs Organization), aims to digitize ATA Carnets and their lifecycle management process – from issuance and declarations to transactions and claims.

About USCIB
USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and prudent regulation. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms with operations in every region of the world. As the U.S. affiliate of leading international business organizations (such as the International Chamber of Commerce, International Organization of Employers and Business at OECD) and as the only U.S. multi-sectoral advocacy group with standing in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade and investment. USCIB is also the National Guaranteeing and Issuing Association for ATA Carnet in the United States, having been appointed as such by the Department of Treasury Bureau of Customs, now U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in 1969. USCIB has two authorized service providers who issue ATA Carnet—Boomerang Carnet and Roanoke Insurance Group Inc. More at  www.uscib.org.

USCIB Welcomes Peru Into Global “Merchandise Passport” System

New York, N.Y., February 05, 2024—The United States Council for International Business (USCIB), the national guaranteeing and issuing association for the ATA Carnet in the United States, is pleased to welcome Peru as the 80th country to be represented in the ATA Carnet system. The ATA Carnets are critical tools of trade facilitation and export promotion. The ATA Carnet is an international customs document that allows duty- and tax-free temporary admission of goods for up to one year.

The Lima Chamber of Commerce, the national guaranteeing and issuing association (NGA and IA, respectively) appointed by Peru Customs (National Superintendency of Customs and Tax Administration, SUNAT), was accepted as a member of the ATA Carnet international Guarantee Chain during a meeting of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – World Chambers Federation (WCF) General Council on November 21, 2023.

ATA Carnet operations in Peru will officially begin on April 30, 2024. Peru is the third country in Latin American, after Chile and Mexico, to accept the use of ATA Carnets for temporary admission of goods. The scope of acceptance includes professional equipment and goods to be displayed or used at exhibitions, fairs, meetings and similar events.

In January 2024, USCIB conducted a virtual operational training for the Lima Chamber of Commerce and SUNAT in preparation for the launch of the ATA Carnet system at the end of April.

According to USCIB Chief Operating Officer Declan Daly, who is also vice chair of the World ATA Carnet Council (WATAC), major progress has also been made to advance acceptance and implementation of the System in the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. USCIB is pleased to report NGAs in both countries have been accepted into ICC’s ATA Carnet Guaranteeing Chain. An announcement on the launch of ATA Carnet operations will be made once respective implementation dates are confirmed.

The global ATA Carnet system is overseen and managed by the Paris-based ICC-WCF. USCIB administers the ATA System in the United States.

About USCIB

USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and prudent regulation. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms with operations in every region of the world. As the U.S. affiliate of leading international business organizations (such as the International Chamber of Commerce, International Organization of Employers and Business at OECD (BIAC)) and as the only U.S. multi-sectoral advocacy group with standing in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade and investment. USCIB is also the National Guaranteeing and Issuing Association for ATA Carnets in the United States, having been appointed as such by the Department of Treasury, now U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in 1969. More at  www.uscib.org.

USCIB Joins ICC Commission Meetings on Customs in Brussels, Hosts USCIB Customs Events in Midwest

L-R: Valerie Picard (ICC), Megan Giblin (USCIB), John Bescec (Microsoft & ICC), Florence Binta Diao-Gueye (ICC)

On November 21, USCIB Senior Director Customs and Trade Facilitation Megan Giblin, alongside USCIB members from IBM and Microsoft, among others, participated in the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Global Customs and Trade Facilitation Commission (CTFC) meeting, hosted at the offices of USCIB member, Baker McKenzie, in Brussels.

According to Giblin, participants discussed critical customs-related challenges in cross-border trade. Chair of the ICC Global CTFC (and former USCIB CTFC Vice Chair and active Committee member) John Bescec (Microsoft), World Customs Organization (WCO) Acting Director of Tariff and Trade Affairs Gael Grooby and ICC authorized delegates to WCO technical bodies (HSC and RSC, and Technical Committee on Customs Valuation) provided insights during the plenary session, including recent developments in customs and trade and highlighted updates on the Harmonized System Nomenclature (HS), valuation and origin.

During the afternoon plenary, ICC National Committee (NC) and respective NC company members, including many USCIB members, presented outcomes and next steps to the Commission on four important issues: the green economy, improving Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)/trusted trader programs, pathways for customs valuation in the e-commerce era and the impact of a complex and fast-changing environmental and labor regulatory landscape on business.

Following the ICC Commission meeting, Giblin and USCIB members met with the U.S. attaché to the EU and Belgium to discuss Committee priorities and regional interests.

L-R: Jeff Bensing (USCIB), John Bescec (Microsoft), Megan Giblin (USCIB), Martina Kavanagh (IBM & ICC)

Prior to these meetings in Brussels, USCIB held an in-person CTFC meeting on November 14, hosted by USCIB member Google in Chicago and chaired by USCIB CTFC Chair Michelle Welsh (Google). Meeting topics included Committee priorities for 2024, forced labor, WTO and WCO matters, such sd customs classification, customs valuation, humanitarian shipments/cargo, and Committee priorities for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

USCIB also hosted a Global Trade Networking Event in Minneapolis on November 15. USCIB members and colleagues had the opportunity discuss customs and trade topics with other experts in the field during an informal evening of conversation and networking.

Giblin Speaks at ACI Advanced Forum on Import Compliance and Enforcement

USCIB Senior Director for Customs and Trade Facilitation Megan Giblin spoke as a panelist at the 12th Advanced Forum on Import Compliance & Enforcement, hosted by the American Conference Institute (ACI).

Held November 7-8, this in-depth strategic conference covered U.S. and international regulatory changes impacting imports and customs compliance strategy, especially concerning evolving U.S. import controls.

Giblin spoke on the panel titled An Update on CBPs 21st Century Customs Framework (21CCF), providing an outlook on the progress of government and industry 21CCF efforts to simplify, secure and enhance 21st century trade. She discussed the status of 21CC efforts from a broader industry perspective as well as spoke to some of the challenges to the process and the consensus work concerning 21CCF that USCIB has undertaken alongside other industry associations.

“We believe that customs modernization, both in the U.S. and at the national level abroad, is critical and cannot be rushed,” emphasized Giblin in her remarks. “Clear and transparent consultation with the trade community is needed.”

Giblin spoke alongside Garrett Wright (Customs and Border Protection), Kathryn Wilkins (Alliance Operating Systems and Trade Co-Chair of COAC) and Shoshana Grove (International Bridge).

Giblin expressed gratitude to ACI for including USCIB in this discussion.

In Joint Industry Statement, USCIB Advocates for Trade to Remain Open in Case of Government Shutdown

USCIB joined other trade and industry associations in a statement regarding a potential lapse in government funding beginning on October 1. The statement advocates for all channels of international trade to remain open in the case of a federal government shutdown.

“The statement underscores that import and export activities remain vital to the nation’s economy and global trade, even during a government shutdown,” said USCIB Senior Director for Customs and Trade Facilitation Megan Giblin. “To regulate the flow of goods and combat illicit trade, maintaining key trade avenues remains vital, and collaboration between the government and the private sector is necessary.”

Specifically, the statement recommends the upkeep of a “war room” by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during a potential shutdown in order to maintain a line of communication between the private sector and CBP. This “war room” should be operated by staff from Participating Government Agencies (PGAs). Additionally, the trade community emphasizes that trade must continue to flow both ways, allowing for the facilitation of inbound and outbound licenses, inspections and cargo screening.

“In the event of any government shutdown, coordination between the private sector and the government must remain a priority,” added Giblin. “Daily briefings from CBP, as have occurred during past lapses of funding, are highly encouraged.”

USCIB, along with industry organizations, strongly urges the government to support global trade, which powers the American economy, during the potential lapse in government funding.

USCIB’s Giblin Contributes to APEC Meetings on Customs

L-R: Fernanda Palacios, Megan Giblin, Carol Anderson, and Mary Wong

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) held its third Senior Officials Meeting (SOM3) earlier this month in Seattle, Washington. USCIB Senior Director for Customs and Trade Facilitation Megan Giblin attended various meetings related to customs; Giblin was a panelist in the APEC Customs-Business Dialogue (ACBD) and moderated a session at the 15th Meeting of the APEC Alliance for Supply Chain Connectivity (A2C2).  

The ACBD focused on women in trade, specifically women in customs, and featured several panels on how women are leading in the technology in trade space. The meeting provided a platform for discussion on how to deliver effective leadership development opportunities for women. Giblin spoke on a panel titled, Women in the Trade Workforce in the 21st Century, and was joined by fellow panelists from Viet Nam Customs Nguyen Thi Viet Nga and Expeditors’ Nanoh Park. The panel was moderated by the Deputy Director, Employee Engagement and Organizational Culture, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Anne Maricich. Giblin and other panelists provided insights on the current state of women in international trade (customs), the types of jobs women hold, some of the challenges women face in such roles, how to interest next generation of women, examples of successful recruitment, how to retain women in these roles and how to develop women for senior leadership roles. Panelists shared experiences and best practices. As Giblin developed remarks, she consulted with her CTFC Chair and committee members to gather additional views and experiences to inform these critical discussions.   

USCIB members were also prominently featured during the ACBD. A panel titled, Trade, Technology and International Cooperation: How Women are Leading and Broadening the Tent for Inclusion. How do we bring in more allies?, featured USCIB member Raquel Guevera (Microsoft). Guevera’s panel included representatives from several APEC economy customs administrations and other private sector representatives. Panelists discussed how trade can support women’s economic empowerment and how women are leading technology in trade. 

The ACBD culminated in a critical small group discussion aimed at informing the Subcommittee on Customs Procedures about lessons learned and best practices from the private sector that Customs Administrations can benefit from. The ACBD also identified some short and long-term actions that can be taken to address some of the challenges and gaps identified during the event.   

“It was fascinating to have participated in an impactful event, which brought together, and provided a dialogue for, so many like-minded women in customs and trade from the APEC economies and the private sector,” said Giblin. “It was a powerful dialogue, which highlighted many commonalities we have all faced or experienced in our careers. There was general agreement among participants, moderators and speakers that we need to stop talking about doing more to engage women in customs. Now is the time to act.”  

Giblin added, “I look forward to seeing how the recommendations from the small group were received by the SCCP and which recommendations will be acted upon.”  Congratulations to the SCCP 2023 Chair, Kristie McKinney of U.S CBP and the U.S. team for a successful ACBD. USCIB looks forward to active engagement in the ACBD during Peru’s host year in 2024.  

Following the ACBD, the Alliance for Supply Chain Connectivity (A2C2)—a USTR-led public private partnership mechanism focused on supply chain connectivity and resilience—allowed stakeholders from APEC economies to formally engage in APEC’s supply chain work. According to Giblin, USCIB’s CTFC has been very active in the A2C2, which has focused on WTO Trade Facilitation Implementation, as well as the Supply Chain Framework Action Plans (SCFAP) focusing on specific chokepoints.  

The 15th meeting of the A2C2, entitled “Operationalizing the SCFAP3,” hosted on this sideline of SOM3 in Seattle, allowed stakeholders to explore opportunities to overcome the chokepoints, such as digitalization and e-payment. Giblin and USCIB members served as either moderators or panelists. Giblin moderated the panel, Digitalization of End-to-End Supply Chains, during which panelists discussed how businesses and governments are grappling with digitalization reforms, including border procedures and trade documentation exchanges. Speakers on the A2C2 Digitalization panel included Peru’s Custom and Trade Facilitation Coordinator Ingrid Huapaya Puicon, SubCargo Co-Chief Executive Officer Fernanda Palacios, Microsoft Senior Corporate Counsel for Global Trade Carol Anderson and GS1 Peru Deputy General Mary Wong.  In addition, Giblin and Anderson were joined by USCIB members Welby Leaman, senior director, Global Policy Strategy at Walmart and Prashanth Rajan, director for Public Policy at Mastercard, who spoke, respectively on panels, ‘Understanding Green Supply Chain Management Practices” and “Data Flows and Cross-Border Payments to Support Increasingly Digitalized Supply Chains. 

“We were pleased to see the APEC Subcommittee on Customs Procedures (SCCP) Chair Kristie McKinney of CBP overview the SCCP Agenda 2023,” said Giblin. “We look forward to the A2C2 continuing to focus on SCFAP III chokepoints and to continued contribution on the critical dialogue tied to digitalization,” said Giblin.”  

“USCIB has appreciated the direct and continued engagement on customs and trade facilitation matters with our U.S. government partners during this host year,” said Giblin. “We stand ready to provide relevant input into the establishment of goals and objectives for both this year and the years to come. We look forward to continued engagement, planning and preparation with U.S. partners for A2C2 meetings during Peru’s host year in 2024.” 

USCIB Presents Public Comments During CBP Green Trade Innovation and Incentives Forum

On July 11, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) hosted the inaugural CBP Green Trade Innovation and Incentives Forum at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in Alexandria, VA.

The Forum was an opportunity for trade, technology, NGOs, government interagency personnel and others interested in Green Trade to share ideas related to green trade innovation, incentivize clean and sustainable supply chains and environmental stewardship, and international trade decarbonization.

The Forum followed the launch of the CBP Green Trade Strategy last June. The Strategy established strategic goals and guiding principles to focus CBP’s efforts to address climate change in the context of the trade mission and provide a framework to incentivize green trade, strengthen CBP’s environmental enforcement posture, accelerate green innovation and improve climate resilience and resource efficiency. The Forum also followed a Department of Homeland Security and U.S. CBP Federal Register Notice (FRN) regarding Green Trade Innovation and Incentives from earlier in 2023.

During the Forum’s panel on “Public Comments on Green Trade Themes” USCIB was one of approximately 25 organizations selected by CBP to present. USCIB Senior Director Customs and Trade Facilitation Megan Giblin was invited to present USCIB’s consensus public FRN submission.

“Our submission developed through member input, provides a thoughtful prioritization of green practices that should be considered or applied by CBP,” said Giblin. “We believe, CBP’s green efforts should prioritize a focus on trade facilitation and partnership, critical factors for achieving meaningful green outcomes. Key to establishing an effective green customs approach is a well-functioning interagency process that encourages dialogue among agencies, and that delivers meaningful facilitation and benefits to members of the Trade.”

Giblin highlighted that other countries look to the U.S. as a guide in the customs space and efforts undertaken at U.S. domestic level are watched closely by other customs authorities around the world.

Green Customs, at the domestic and international level, is a priority topic for the USCIB Customs and Trade Facilitation Committee; USCIB has been part of the dialogue with CBP from the informal stages of its Green Strategy pre-introduction until now. USCIB hosted several discussions with the team leading this effort within CBP, which led to the development of USCIB’s original prioritization paper in early 2023 that served as the basis of USCIB’s FRN submission. USCIB remains committed to continuing its partnership with CBP to provide inputs on CBP’s Green Strategy and USCIB’s related prioritization efforts.

“Congratulations to CBP on the event and for their efforts to engage the Trade community and to seek ideas related to green trade innovation and incentives of clean and sustainable supply chains and trade decarbonization,” said Giblin. “Customs and trade facilitation, as well as climate and environment, are two priority areas for USCIB.  We are uniquely positioned to provide inputs, advice and prioritization concerning where industry believes CBP should be focusing its efforts.”

USCIB Applauds Election of Ian Saunders to World Customs Organization Secretary General

Left to right: Jerry Cook (Hanesbrands), Ian Saunders, Megan Giblin, Nicole Bivens Collinson (Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg PA) 

Washington D.C., July 11, 2023–The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) applauds the election on June 24, 2023, of Ian Saunders (U.S.) as the new Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO). Saunders, who currently serves as deputy assistant secretary, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, was selected by the majority of WCO members to lead the organization for the next five years. He begins his term on January 1, 2024.

Saunders was chosen as the new Secretary General (SG) during a vote that was taken by secret paper ballot at the 141 and 142 Sessions of the WCO Council, the highest decision–making body at the WCO, June 22 – 24 in Brussels, Belgium. The Council brings together the customs director generals of the WCO’s 185 member countries. Per the WCO: “The WCO Secretary General is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the WCO Secretariat.”

Since January 1, 2009, the WCO has been led by SG Dr. Kunio Mikuriya of Japan. He was elected to serve as SG in June 2008. USCIB has enjoyed, over the years, the opportunity to welcome SG Mikuriya to participate in dialogues with leadership and members.

“We thank Kunio for his leadership and engagement for the past 15 years,” expressed USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson.

“Saunders’ election to WCO SG, represents a return to U.S. thoughtful and experienced leadership at the WCO,” said Megan Giblin, USCIB senior director for Customs and Trade Facilitation. “USCIB has advocated for increased U.S. engagement and leadership at the only global body authorized to speak on customs matters which are inherently technical and complex.”

During his campaign Saunders stated, “While respecting the WCO’s rich past, there is a need to innovate and adapt to modern challenges. I intend to lead the Organization by forging strong and enduring public-private partnerships, leveraging technology, promoting inclusivity for effective global Customs cooperation and ensuring transparency and openness as fundamental principles of good governance.”

“We believe Ian’s leadership skills, substantive knowledge, in customs and more broadly international trade, will make him a superb SG at the WCO,” added Robinson.

USCIB expressed its strong public support of Saunders very early in his campaign. USCIB appreciates the opportunity to have worked with and support the U.S. campaign team and process and have welcomed Saunders on numerous occasions to discuss, provide inputs into and inform members about his campaign platform.

“We have always believed that Ian was the right choice to head this heavily technical global customs body. We support Ian and his intent to raise the bar for customs globally and look forward to continued engagement with our USG partners as well as in collaboration with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), WCO observers, on technical matters before this critical customs body,” said Giblin.

More information can be found at:

About USCIB: USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development, and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world. USCIB is the U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and Business at OECD (BIAC). More at www.uscib.org.