CBP and World BASC Organization Sign Joint Statement

Herndon, Virginia — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the World Business Alliance for Secure Commerce Organization (World BASC) signed today at CBP’s National Targeting Center a Joint Statement which recognizes the mutually beneficial working relationship of promoting and enhancing supply chain security throughout the Americas and the Caribbean.

CBP Acting Commissioner David V. Aguilar, International World BASC President Fermin Cuza, and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the World BASC Organization Raul Saldias, signed the Joint Statement, which recognizes the value of cooperation between CBP and this private, non-for profit organization in the area of supply chain security.

CBP’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program has been partnering very closely with the World BASC Organization for over 10 years now. The signing of this Joint Statement formalizes that relationship and challenges both parties to continue to work together to promote safe and secure world commerce.

“The World BASC Organization with its 2,500 companies in 14 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean helps us to support CBP’s mission of securing the international supply chain by the work that the World BASC does with thousands of companies in the region: counseling and working with these companies so that they are better prepared to successfully face the challenges and threats of the 21st century”, said Acting Commissioner David V. Aguilar.

“We believe that this Joint Statement sends a clear message by the most important Customs administration in the world, that customs and the private sector need to step up their efforts to work together in securing the international supply chain” said Mr. Cuza.

C-TPAT is a voluntary government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships that strengthen and improve overall international supply chain and U.S. border security. C-TPAT recognized that U.S. Customs and Border Protection can provide the highest level of cargo security only through close cooperation with the ultimate owners of the international supply chain such as importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers.

The World BASC Organization is a non-for profit, privately led international business alliance created in 1996 to promote secure international trade in cooperation with governments and international organizations. The BASC currently operates chapters in 14 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean and has a membership of over 2,500 certified companies.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.