BIFA welcomes US single Customs window

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has welcomed the Executive Order, signed by President Obama last week, which aims to streamline export and import processes for USA businesses trading internationally.

Specifically, the Order is aimed at completing the International Trade Data System (ITDS) by December 2016, which is designed to reduce export and import processing and approval times from days to minutes for small businesses.  Currently businesses must submit information to dozens of government agencies, often on paper forms, before goods can move across the border.

BIFA understands that the ITDS will allow businesses to transmit electronically the data required by the US Government, through a ‘single-window’.  It sees this speeding up the shipment of American-made goods overseas, eliminating often duplicated and burdensome paperwork, and making the administration of international trade more efficient.