Baltimore Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association, Inc.

www.bcbfa.org

President – Geoff Powell                                                                                                        Secretary – Diane Kraus

Vice President – Nick Patronic                                                                                                Treasurer – Toni Medinger

 

David J. Austin, Acting Port Director

US Customs Service

40 South Gay Street

Baltimore, MD  21202                                                               December 16, 2002

 

Dear Mr. Austin,

 

CR 118.2, Establishment of a CES

 

       The Baltimore Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association, Inc. believes that an alternative unstaffed Centralized Examination Station should be established for the Port of Baltimore.

 

        Baltimore Customs Information Notice 00-14 dated 10/17/00, selected The Belt’s Corporation as the “staffed CES” and Hale Intermodal Transport Co. as the “unstaffed CES.”  The selections span the 5-year period of time from November 1, 2000 – October 31, 2005.

 

        It is understood that Hale Intermodal Transport Co. has recently been sold to another concern, leaving the status of that unstaffed CES in question.  Under the circumstances, we believe it is fitting and proper for Baltimore Customs to notify the port community that the “unstaffed” CES is again open for bids.  

 

         The appointment of the CES is generally under the control of the port’s Customs brokerage community.  This should be a competitive option to the brokerage community to ensure the optimal level of service and valued pricing. 

 

          Under new initiatives, we understand the percentage of examinations could dramatically increase nationwide in the near future.  For Baltimore Customs to capably handle the increased volume, at least 2 viable CES facilities should be available.  The present staffed facility often experiences examination backlogs under the present volume.  Clearly, the community and Customs will benefit if there is another competitive facility available. 

 

           This letter is posted on the BCBFA website.  Any Licensed Customs broker operating in the Baltimore port community is invited to send an email endorsing this request.  The email endorsements will be printed and presented with this request letter to illustrate a consensus of interest from the community.  The deadline to send an email endorsement is year’s end, 12/31/02.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Geoff Powell

BCBFA President