Global Logistics Company OHL Selected as Participant in U.S. Custom Pilot

Global Logistics Company OHL Selected as Participant in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Broker Self-Assessment Outreach Pilot

Brentwood, Tenn. (August 5, 2009) – U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) has selected global logistics company, OHL, as one of four brokers to participate in the Broker Self-Assessment (BSA) Outreach Pilot, a voluntary partnership with the primary goal of facilitating a higher level of broker compliance with CBP laws and regulations.

The BSA Pilot Program is a partnership between CBP and brokers to effectively assess and manage risk while cultivating uniformity in the application of trade laws and processes. The pilot will allow brokers to measure trade compliance so that CBP can focus on higher-risk trade enforcement issues. Under this pilot, OHL will update internal controls, perform periodic testing of these internal controls, and disclose to CBP deficiencies discovered through the testing. The BSA Pilot Program will be reviewed one year after its effective date to weigh achievements and determine if the program will become permanent.

“We are excited and honored to be selected to participate in the BSA pilot program,” said Mary Jo Muoio, senior vice president, trade services, OHL Global Freight Management and Logistics. “We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with CBP on the pilot program over the next year and create more compliant broker requirements.”

CBP recognizes OHL as an intermediary between CBP and the trading community, and as having a significant role in the success of various CBP commercial initiatives, automation efforts, and security programs. According to CBP, OHL is the 10th largest broker in the U.S. based on total number of entries filed in 2008.

To apply for the BSA Pilot Program, brokers had to meet a variety of requirements, including a broker national permit, membership in Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), and the ability to develop a self-testing plan. Some notable advantages to participating include CBP assistance with corrective action plan prior to penalty assessment; accelerated review and disposition of electronic drawback claims, reconciliation applications, and ruling requests; and only being subjected to single-issue audits.

About OHL
Based in Tennessee, OHL is one of the largest 3PLs in the world, providing integrated global supply chain management solutions including transportation, warehousing, customs brokerage, freight forwarding and import and export consulting services. With three business units—Global Freight Management and Logistics, Contract Logistics and North America Transportation—OHL operates more than 120 value-added distribution centers, offers comprehensive transportation management services, employs over 6,000, and has offices worldwide. OHL has expertise in direct to consumer fulfillment, serves a wide range of business sectors from specialty retail to manufacturing, and specializes in the apparel, electronics, printing, food and beverage, and consumer packaged goods industries.