Press Release

Immediate Release

16th Dec 2009

US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decision to delay 100% scanning for 2 years to 2014 strongly welcomed by Irish Exporters Association

John Whelan, CEO at the Irish Exporters Association said;

‘Irish exporters were faced with substantial shipment delays and added costs if the US had proceeded with it’s original intention to proceed with the 100% scanning of all containers of goods imported into the US in 2012.’’

The IEA has consistently stated that the new 10+2 Import regulation to be implemented in January of next year was adequate to meet the US Dept of Homeland Security(DHS) concerns .(see Additional Information below for details of 10+2 regulation) .

John Whelan went on to say;

‘’The DHS has consistently underestimated the cost to both the US Government as well as to every country exporting to the US if the 100% container scanning were to proceed. The more secure route to global security for traded goods is through the use of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) , which the EU has been promoting and which many Irish companies have invested in. An early recognition of the AEO status of companies by the US DHS would be a much better solution in ensure secure trade .’’

Whelan added ‘there is clearly a compelling argument to eliminate the unrealistic aspirations of the US Senate who originally tabled this legislation , to indefinitely defer the 100% scanning ‘’

The Department of Homeland Security said the reason for the delay was that senior Dept. of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection officials had acknowledged that most , if not all , foreign ports would be unable to meet the July 2012 target for 100% scanning of all US – bound cargo.

Additional Information on 10+2 Regulation for Imports into US 26th Jan 2010:

1. Shipping to the United States? Import Security Filing will be enforced be prepared!

On the 26th January 2009, the US Customs Border Protection (CBP) introduced a new import ruling entitled Import Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements (commonly known as the ‘’10+2’’).

The new ruling applies to all cargo arriving into the US by sea ( note airfreight is not affected).FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW RULING FROM THE 26TH January 2010 will result in either financial penalties, increased inspection , delays in imports and refusal to allow unloading .

A period of 12 months has been allowed from the initial ruling to allow foreign exporters and their import clients in the US to get their systems into line with the new requirements, but that flexible transition runs out in January 2010, and the full force of the law is expected then. It is important to check with your importer that he is already making the entries in the new format and that you are providing him with the necessary information on each shipment to ensure he can comply with the ‘’10+ 2 Ruling ‘’.

The US CBP state they may issue liquation damages of $5,000 per violation for the submission of an inaccurate, incomplete, or untimely (late) filing.

For more detaiedl information about the Importer Security Filing , please visit the CBP website at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/cargo_security/carriers/security_filing/

The website includes fact sheets , FAQs , etc.Additionally , questions may be sent to security_Filing_General@cbp.dhs.gov

ENDS

For further information contact:

Mr John Whelan

Telephone:087 9271243

Email: jfwhelan@irishexporters.ie