What’s the Buzz about International Trade Data System?

(U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Recent legislation and growing interest from within the government has created a buzz about the International Trade Data System (ITDS), resulting in greater visibility throughout the government and increased participation by federal agencies. ITDS is the mechanism for coordinating intergovernmental participation in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s new Automated Commercial Environment trade processing system, known as ACE. In recent months, ITDS has become a key initiative in ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of imported goods and streamline the collection and use of import/export data across all government agencies that share responsibility for import safety.

Momentum began building in 2006 with the passage of the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act, which mandated participation in ITDS by all federal agencies requiring documentation for clearing or licensing the importation or exportation of cargo. With this mandate, nine additional agencies joined ITDS. By requiring use of ITDS, the SAFE port act recognized the ITDS purpose and potential to eliminate redundant information requirements, efficiently regulate the flow of commerce and effectively enforce international laws and regulations by establishing a single web portal for the electronic collection and distribution of standard electronic import and export data required by all federal agencies.

Providing further impetus for ITDS efforts, in July the president issued an executive order establishing an interagency working group on import safety, chaired by the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and comprised of senior officials from 12 federal departments and agencies, each with unique and critical import safety responsibilities. Based on the working group’s findings, the Office of Management and Budget reinforced the mandate set forth in the SAFE Port Act on Sept. 28 by requiring use of ITDS when collecting information to clear or license the import or export of cargo. OMB further established an interagency team led by the Department of the Treasury, working with the Department of Homeland Security, to coordinate how each agency will participate in ITDS.

The OMB directive not only reinforced the SAFE Port Act mandate to use ITDS, but also issued a deadline by which agencies must use ITDS. OMB instructed the agencies to develop plans outlining the steps needed to complete each stage of the agencies’ interface with ITDS, including any necessary rulemaking or acquisitions needed to support the interface, by Nov. 12. The OMB directive further stated that by 2009 all agencies are expected to fully utilize ITDS.

Currently, ITDS participating government agencies are moving forward with the steps laid out in their plan and working to complete the interface with ITDS. A total of 40 government agencies are currently participating in the ACE/ITDS initiative. Once fully utilized, ITDS will provide unprecedented interagency coordination and information sharing, ultimately making ACE the “single window” for the collection and dissemination of trade data. The ITDS main page is at http://www.itds.gov/