The agreement provides for information exchange and better enforcement of customs laws in both countries.
The U.S. and Tunisia signed a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) on Thursday, Customs and Border Protection announced Tuesday.
CMAAs are bilateral agreements that provide the legal framework for the exchange of information and evidence to assist countries in enforcement of customs laws, including duty evasion, trafficking, proliferation, money laundering and terrorism-related activities. They also serve as foundational documents for subsequent information-sharing arrangements.
“We value our partnership with Tunisia in pursuing our mutual goals of stronger law enforcement and a more resilient and secure supply chain,” CBP Deputy Commissioner Robert Perez said in a statement. “These agreements form sound legal frameworks on a wide range of issues, including securing our borders against terrorists and combating drug traffickers. This collaboration and cooperation will enable us — and generations after us — to work more effectively to prevent, detect and investigate customs offenses.”
