see also: in October 2008:   Mexican Military Makes Accidental Incursion into the U.S.   CBP Officers Apprehend Illegal Alien Hidden on Rail Car   Border Patrol Agents Make Several Drug Seizures Near Laredo   CBP Officers at the Calexico Downtown Port of Entry Intercept Cocaine Smuggling Attempt   CBP to Open Andrade Port of Entry Earlier During Agriculture Harvest Season   Layered Enforcement Snags U.S. Citizen, Foils 3 Smuggling Attempts   CBP Announces Online Method for Meeting SENTRI Vehicle Requirements ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   Importer Self-Assessment Program (ISA)

contacts for this news release

Washington - U.S Customs and Border Protection, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is expanding the CBP Importer Self-Assessment Program to include a product safety component, the Importer Self-Assessment Product Safety, as part of a pilot program.

The primary objective of the program is to maintain a high level of product safety compliance through a cooperative partnership between CBP, CPSC and the importer.

“CBP and CPSC have a strong history of partnership in combating unsafe imports and have worked together diligently on significant product recalls,” said CBP Commissioner W. Ralph Basham. “I am pleased to announce this new partnership between CBP, CPSC and importers to prevent unsafe imports from entering the United States.”

“CPSC’s collaboration with CBP on the Importer Self-Assessment Product Safety pilot program is another important initiative to extend the reach of both agencies in protecting the American consumer from dangerous imports,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord.

Importer Self-Assessment Product Safety is a voluntary approach to product safety compliance, providing recognition and support to participating companies. In addition to the benefits already provided by CBP to Importer Self-Assessment members, CPSC has established a list of benefits such as front-of-the-line testing, reduction of testing and access to CPSC-specific training to importers who demonstrate readiness and ability to assume responsibilities for managing and monitoring their own product safety compliance through self-assessment.

CBP and CPSC staff will examine the importer’s internal control methods based on the submission of the application and questionnaire and also through domestic and foreign site visits.

Application to the product safety pilot is open to all importers who are participants in the CBP Importer Self-Assessment program. CBP and CPSC staff will designate a limited number of importers from the initial applicants and determine their eligibility for participation in the pilot program.

Detailed information on the Importer Self-Assessment Product Safety pilot is expected to be published in the Federal Register on October 29.

For more information on the Importer Self-Assessment Program, visit the Trade section of the CBP Web site. ( Importer Self-Assessment Program (ISA) )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.