Dive Brief:
- Twenty U.S. ports will participate in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) expedited clearance process, "AQUA," by year end, Lloyd's Loading List reported. Prior to this month, only the ports in Port Everglades, New Orleans, Baltimore and Oakland were participating.
- Sea carriers in good standing with the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TAP) initiative can apply for expedited processing 24 hours before arrival, and would receive a response from CBP within 12 hours.
- The Advanced Qualified Unlading Approval (AQUA) program will allow carriers to reduce time and costs in port by unloading upon arrival, while providing ports with another tool to decrease congestion.
Dive Insight:
Supply chain managers would do well to communicate with their logistics providers or customs brokers about this new program, which will be applicable in 40% of the nation's top 50 ports. Previously, carriers could only participate at the ports of Miami, New York/New Jersey, Long Beach and Los Angeles.
Nonetheless, the program rewards long-standing relationships in the supply chain. A supply chain executive who can rely on their logistics providers to remain in good standing with the CBP and file for expedited processing can shave off significant lead time if both logistics provider and carrier remain the same.
The program is still being tested, however, before it is implemented at all U.S. ports. A list of the ports currently participating can be found below.
