U.S. CUSTOMS TO MOVE INTACT TO HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT

U.S. CUSTOMS TO MOVE INTACT TO HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT

   U.S. Customs Service Commissioner Robert C. Bonner said his agency will move intact to the new Homeland Security Department, starting early next year.

   Bonner told industry attendees at the Customs Trade Symposium in Washington Thursday that the move from Treasury to Homeland Security was a “good thing” and will make the agency, along with its counterparts, more efficient and accountable for its actions in the war against terrorism and related criminal activities.

   He also assured the industry that Customs’ role of balancing enforcement and trade facilitation will continue unchanged. “The trade’s voice will continue to be heard loud and clear at Customs and in the new department,” Bonner said.

   Legislation to approve the 177,000-employee Homeland Security Department passed the Senate on Tuesday and the House late last week. President Bush is expected to sign the legislation into law early next week and announce Tom Ridge as the secretary.

   Under the Homeland Security Department, Customs is expected to operate from its existing headquarters in Washington. “Are we moving?” Bonner said. “No. We’ll continue to be at the 301 ports in the United States.”

   The Homeland Security Department legislation provides flexibility in terms of bringing on board 22 federal agencies, starting in early 2003. Customs will operate under the so-called Border and Transportation Security division. Treasury, however, is expected to maintain some oversight of Customs’ revenue collection functions.

   The transition should be “transparent” to the trade, said Douglas Browning, deputy commissioner for Customs. “Behind the scenes there will be a lot of work to do.”