Industry representatives serving on the Customs IFAC provide advice on trade policy matters. Recently, members of the Customs IFAC provided advice on a range of issues that included: the Pre-Shipment Inspection Agreement, the Agreement on Rules of Origin, the Import Licensing Agreement, the Harmonized System Committee in the World Customs Organization (WCO), and intellectual property enforcement. The committee regularly provides recommendations on the operation and implementation of the Customs Valuation Agreement and provides advice to the U.S. delegation working to complete the product-specific rules-of-origin work program currently underway in the WCO and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The IFAC also advises concerning implementation of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and ITA II and the resolution of remaining ITA classification issues. Other areas of emphasis for the committee are customs related provisions and trade facilitation measures in the Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD), the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Agreement, and the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). The Customs IFAC also advises on WTO trade facilitation efforts and initiatives for a new round of trade negotiations, international trade data systems and customs automation in the U.S. customs service and the need for improved U.S. customs processing systems.

Industry representatives serving on the Industry Functional Advisory Committee on Customs Matters have a voice in U.S. trade policy formulation through the Industry Consultations Program (ICP), which emerged from the Trade Act of 1974, to ensure that trade negotiators were coordinating with the private sector during trade negotiations. Based on the program's success, the ICP was renewed and expanded by the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 and the Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988. The Department of Commerce, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), and other agencies work side-by-side with these business leaders who serve as advisors to the U.S. Government. The Department of Commerce and USTR have joint responsibility for operating the Advisory Committees of the ICP. 

Eligibility for Membership in the Customs Matters IFAC
Committee members must be U.S. citizens representing U.S. manufacturing or service firms, trade internationally, and have a special interest in and knowledge of international trade issues.   Representatives of industry associations may also participate. Additional information can be found on the Industry Consultations Program's website at www.ita.doc.gov/icp or by contacting: