This document was downloaded and archived from  http://www.customs.gov/about/hi_impac.htm on May 29, 2001.

Over the past five years Vice President Gore’s National Partnership for Reinventing Government has sparked the widespread introduction of important reinvention changes across the government. These changes have led to streamlined procedures and improved customer service.

The next step is to create customer-oriented, results-driven agencies where the public will see the difference. Over the next three years, entire agencies will be reinvented, starting with those that have the most interaction with the public and business communities. Vice President Gore has challenged the leaders of these "High Impact Agencies" to commit to a small handful of significant, concrete, measurable goals that can be achieved over the next three years. The U.S. Customs Service is one of these agencies.

The following table provides our Goals for the Year 2000 and our progress toward achieving them.

Cust-01

In partnership with the airline industry, advance biographical information will be obtained on 80% of international air passengers through the use of the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), expediting passengers processing and enhancing enforcement. (Joint - Customs, INS, APHIS)

Ongoing

The APIS Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by 66 carriers. The APIS rate is 78% of all non- precleared international passengers.

Making expected progress

Cust-02

Most international air passengers will be cleared through the inspection process in 30 minutes or less, while improving enforcement and regulatory processes. (Joint - Customs, INS, APHIS)

Ongoing

Cycle time studies at LAX, Newark, and Houston airports indicated that the mean cycle time for arriving international passenger processing was under 25 minutes at all terminals located at the three airports.

Making expected progress

Cust-03

Most travelers will be processed in 20 minutes or less at any location along the northern land borders, except at peak traffic times and weekends. (Joint - Customs, INS, APHIS)

Ongoing

Customs is working with INS and APHIS to modify the inspection process to minimize waiting times for travelers at northern border locations. The target of 20 minutes is met over 90% of the time

Making expected progress

Cust-04

On the southern land borders, the Federal Inspection Services will establish five additional Dedicated Commuter Lanes (DCLs) for pre-approved, frequent border travelers who have passed rigorous background checks that qualify them for expedited entry and minimal inspection. This and other border processing initiatives will result in the majority of travelers being processed in 30 minutes except on weekends and peak traffic times, effectively freeing up additional resources to reduce the illegal movement of people and prohibited goods into the United States. (Joint - Customs, INS, APHIS)

Ongoing

It is unlikely that the goal of five additional Dedicated Commuter Lanes (DCLs) will be met. Otay Mesa, CA has a DCL in place and a DCL in El Paso (Stanton Street) opened in May 1999. San Ysidro is expected to open by the end of May 2000. Shortage of funding and difficulty in getting infrastructure changes on Mexican side of border will likely prevent any others opening prior to the end of the year. The target of 30 minutes continues to be met over 90% of the time.

Making expected progress

Cust-05

Reduce the illegal movement of people and prohibited goods into the U.S.

N/A

(Delete --this goal in included in Cust-04)

N/A

Cust-06

Disrupt smuggling operations by getting better intelligence information.

ongoing

An intelligence collection network has been expanded along the Southwest Border, with new nodes being established in critical locations. We have expanded our ability to exchange information, both within Customs and with other agencies, by increasing installations of LAN type computer systems. We have entered into multi-agency agreements to jointly utilize new computer-based, high technology intelligence exploitation systems, and to share the collection, analysis, and dissemination functions among the member agencies. We have expanded the use of the Internet as a low cost means of helping process raw information in non-secure environments. . This system is currently being used to target drug-carrying conveyances in the Caribbean, Pacific and Southwest border. Upgrades to the system will enable us to cover a wider area of activity. These upgrades are scheduled to be completed in October 2000.

In August of 1999, Customs and DEA entered into an agreement permitting Customs to collect its own foreign drug intelligence overseas.

Since the signing of that MOU, Customs has deployed 2 multi-disciplined teams to Mexico to collect intelligence. So far, this has produced a great deal of actionable, tactical intelligence. In the near future, we will be deploying a team to South America.

Making expected progress

Cust-07

Increase the number of narcotics seizures in the commercial cargo environment achieved through the use of technology and prior information.

Ongoing

Since FY97, the number and amount of narcotics seizures in commercial cargo has continued to grow utilizing technology tools --x-ray systems and automated databases. This growth should continue as a result of increased expenditures on technology tools which will re-enforce the southern tier throughout the next five years. From October 1, 1997 through March 31, 2000, 176 commercial cargo narcotics seizures, representing approximately 138,500 lbs. of seized narcotics, occurred with the assistance of radiation imaging systems. Of these 176 seizures, 55 seizures totaling 50,400 lbs. of narcotics occurred within the last nine months of this time period. The Automated Targeting System (ATS) has also seen increased success. There have been 45 commercial cargo narcotics seizures totaling over 75,500 lbs. of narcotics attributable to ATS from October 1, 1997 through March 31, 2000. Within the last nine months of this time period, 12 of the 45 seizures representing 42,200 lbs. of narcotics were effected. Recently, ATS was also responsible for the discovery of 15,000 tablets of Ecstasy.

Making expected progress

Cust-08

Make more arrests for narcotics violation.

ongoing

Drug-related arrests by Customs Special Agents in the first half of FY2000 are up 29% from the first half of FY1997.

Making expected progress

Cust-09

The Business Anti-Smuggling coalition (BASC) is a business-led, Customs supported alliance under which corporate participants set self-imposed business standards that significantly deter narcotics traffickers. The ultimate objective of the BASC is to eliminate the use of legitimate business shipments by narcotics traffickers to smuggle illicit drugs. Customs plans to increase participation to 300 importers/exporters operating along the Southern Tier of the United States.

Ongoing

There are currently over 500 companies throughout the United States, Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Venezuela, and Colombia participating in BASC. As a result of the positive response to this program by the private sector, industry leaders have created individual BASC Chapters in the United States, Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Venezuela. We are currently discussing and finalizing with industry participants the establishment of BASC chapters in Mexico and Panama. In partnership with Mattel, we are also finalizing the creation of a BASC World Wide Web site. Additionally, the World Customs Organization has announced their intentions to promote and incorporate the BASC ideologies into the "Action Defis" (MOU) program. The World Customs Organization (WCO) represents 140 Customs Services throughout the world.

Making expected progress

Cust-10

The Land Border Carrier Initiative Program (LBCIP) was developed to address the threat of drug smuggling along the Southwest border, and to enlist the support of the land border carriers in the war on drugs. The LBCIP provides carriers with a means to improve their own cargo terminal and conveyance security as well as to enhance their awareness of drug smuggling, and to encourage carriers to recognize and report suspected illegal activities to U.S. Customs. 835 carriers currently participate in the LBCIP; Customs plans to expand the number of agreements with participating carriers to 1050.

Ongoing

There are currently 1048 carriers who are participating in the LBCIP. This represents approximately 98% of the target group along the Southwest border. There are currently 3 signatories to the rail agreement and we are in current negotiations with industry members to secure signatories to the bus agreement. Customs will continue to perform training, site surveys, and post seizure analyses accordingly.

Making expected progress

Cust-11

Increase the number of teams practicing Strategic Problem Solving (SPS) techniques. Provide community-level solutions by employing SPS at the local level with other Federal, state and local governments, carriers and manufacturers. Nationwide, the number of SPS team projects will increase from the current 85 to 200; and the overall effectiveness of the SPS program will increase by 20%.

Ongoing

SPS has been incorporated into the Customs culture and is used in attacking chronic enforcement problems. SPS relies on the innovation and drive of field locations to develop a way to quickly address enforcement problems. Whenever applicable projects include other Federal, state and local authorities. Since SPS began, over 300 projects have been initiated throughout Customs. Forty-two projects have been initiated thus far this fiscal year.

Goal completed

Cust-12

Ease the importation of U.S. goods into foreign countries by working with the World Customs Organization to gain acceptance of the International Customs Guidelines proposed by the International Chamber of Commerce.

(Trade Facilitation)

Ongoing

The WCO has approved the ICC Customs Guidelines in principle, and has agreed to incorporate them in the revision to the International Convention on the Simplification & Harmonization of Customs procedures (Kyoto Convention). The revised Convention was formally adopted by the WCO in June 1999.

Goal Completed

Cust-13

Consult with other Federal agencies concerned with issues about imports.

(Trade Facilitation)

Ongoing

US Customs regularly serves as a technical consultant to other federal agencies on issues involving import clearance procedures and impediments in foreign countries. We have met goals in this area by working with the Office of US Trade Representative (USTR), State Department and the Commerce Department to plan technical assistance activities which further U.S. foreign policy goals of facilitating legitimate trade and improving compliance with international rules of trade. Assistance has been provided to developing countries as outlined in Cust-14. Customs has also provided technical guidance to USTR for two FTAA related meetings. In addition, we consulted with other government agencies to produce a harmonized and simplified data set for import and export procedures.

Objectives for Year 2000 have been achieved. Continuing efforts in this area are ongoing.

Cust-14

Provide training and advisory assistance to foreign customs administration.

(Trade Facilitation)

Ongoing

US Customs regularly works with foreign customs administrations to address import processing and trade facilitation through training and advisory assistance. In FY-99, Customs coordinated with the Commerce Department to provide 1 technical assistance mission in automation. FY-99 commercial training programs completed: 21 programs in 24 countries with 420 participants. In FY-00, Customs will deliver approximately 25 programs for 21 countries. USCS provides approximately $25 million worth of technical assistance through short and long term advisory services in 6 countries on an annual basis. In FY-00, approximately 100 programs or assessments in counternarcotics and counter proliferation will have been provided to foreign border control agencies of over 60 countries. This enforcement raining also contributes to trade facilitation by emphasizing customs modernization in areas such as targeting techniques by use of risk management, cooperation with the trade community and infrastructure building..

Making expected progress