CUSTOMS STRESSES INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT AT CBFCA CONFERENCE

Industry engagement is the key to successful co-design of new approaches,” stated the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS – www.customs.gov.au) presenting at the recent Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia (CBFCA) national conference. The conference attracted 220 representatives from industry and government on the first day, and 200 on the second. It was held at the Sheraton Mirage Resort on Queensland’s Gold Coast from October 31 to November 1. ACBPS Trade and Customs Division National Director, Jeff Buckpitt, told conference delegates the principles for industry engagement included early, meaningful consultation; involvement in designing solutions, with focus on outcomes not processes; while also reforming complex rules and regulations. Customs will pursue risk-based approaches, within a culture of continuous improvements in collaboration with industry, it says.