NCBFAA Comments on DHS Regional Structure Proposal

Washington, DC:: In a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Associations of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) expressed its serious concern over a proposal in President Bush’s FY 2004 budget to create a regional management structure for the DHS calling it “very troubling.”
        “While we understand the logic behind the concept,” NCBFAA President Federico Zuniga wrote, “there is real danger of returning Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to the decentralized, fragmented structure that was so damaging to the international trade process up until the early 1990s.”
        In urging Secretary Ridge to reevaluate the proposal, Zuniga said, “. . .it is imperative that DHS not impede CBP’s ability to provide uniform, centralized and consistent implementation of the policies and procedures governing cargo processing and security.”
        With headquarters in Washington, DC, the NCBFAA (members.ncbfaa.org) represents nearly 700 member companies - the nation's leading freight forwarders, customs brokers, ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs) and air cargo agents. Established in 1897 in New York, NCBFAA is the strong, effective national voice of the industry. Through its various committees, counsel and representatives, the Association maintains a close watch over legislative and regulatory issues that affect its members. It keeps them informed of these and other related issues through its weekly Monday Morning eBriefing, Quarterly NCBFAA Bulletin, and various meetings and conferences throughout the year.