    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [April 30, 2003]
    [Pages 405-406]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Protocol of Amendment to the
    International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of
    Customs Procedures
    April 30, 2003

    To the Senate of the United States:
        I transmit herewith for Senate advice and consent to accession, the
    Protocol of Amendment to the International Convention on the
    Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures done at Brussels
    on June 26, 1999. The Protocol amends the International Convention on
    the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures done at Kyoto
    on May 18, 1973, and replaces the Annexes to the 1973 Convention with a
    General Annex and 10 Specific Annexes (together, the ``Amended
    Convention''). I am also transmitting, for the information of the
    Senate, the report of the Department of State on the Amended Convention.
        The Amended Convention seeks to meet the needs of international
    trade and customs services through the simplification and harmonization
    of customs procedures. It responds to modernization in business and

    [[Page 406]]

    administrative methods and techniques and to the growth of international
    trade, without compromising standards of customs control. Accession by
    the United States would further the U.S. interest in reducing non-tariff
    barriers to international trade.
        By acceding to the Protocol, a state consents to be bound by the
    amended 1973 Convention and the new General Annex. At the same time, or
    anytime thereafter, Parties have the option of accepting any of the
    Specific Annexes (or Chapters thereof), and may at that time enter
    reservations with respect to any Recommended Practices contained in the
    Specific Annexes. In accordance with these terms, I propose that the
    United States accept seven of the Specific Annexes in their entirety and
    all the Chapters, but one of each of two other Specific Annexes (A-E, G,
    and H, as well as Chapters 1, 2, and 3 of F, and Chapters 1, 3, 4, and 5
    of J), and enter the reservations proposed by the Bureau of Customs and
    Border Protection as set forth in the enclosure to the report of the
    Department of State. The provisions for which reservation is recommended
    conflict with current U.S. legislation or regulations. With these
    proposed reservations, no new implementing legislation is necessary in
    order to comply with the Amended Convention.
        Accession to the Protocol by the United States would contribute to
    important U.S. interests. First, accession by the United States would
    benefit the United States and U.S. businesses by facilitating greater
    economic growth, increasing foreign investment, and stimulating U.S.
    exports through more predictable, standard, and harmonized customs
    procedures governing cross-border trade transactions. Setting forth
    standardized and simplified methods for conducting customs business is
    important for U.S. trade interests in light of the demands of increased
    trade flows, as is the use of modernized technology and techniques for
    customs facilitation. These achievements can best be pursued by the
    United States as a Party to the Amended Convention. Second, through
    early accession, the United States can continue to take a leadership
    role in the areas of customs and international trade facilitation as the
    U.S. accession would encourage other nations, particularly developing
    nations, to accede as well.
        I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration
    to the Protocol and give its advice and consent to accession.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     April 30, 2003.