ACBPS Advisory Group Appointment

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) is developing a Trusted Trader Programme to enhance the competitiveness of Australia’s traders and better align Australia with international standards and evolving models of trade.  ACBPS’ focus is to alleviate unnecessary administrative and regulatory burden while also meeting the demands placed on ACBPS by increased trade flows and a growing array of border risks.

The Programme will be consistent with trade facilitation measures outlined in the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement. It will have an exports focused element based on the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) concept, a key feature of the WCO’s SAFE Framework, and will also include an imports focused element which will provide trade facilitation benefits to trusted import entities.

Earlier this year, the Australian International Trade and Transport Industry Development Fund (AITTIDF) commissioned CCES to undertake a research study into Accredited Operator Schemes such as AEO and Trusted Trader programmes. ACBPS has commented that “we see the review as a vital piece of work which will inform the design and development of our proposed trusted trader programme”.

Professor David Widdowson has been invited to join an Industry Advisory Group that has been formed to work closely with ACBPS to co-design key elements of the programme. The Advisory Group will provide input, advice and feedback throughout the development stages of the Programme.

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