Pushing the border ... out: forwarder, consolidator provide Customs with information from shipper's purchase orders. (Customs/Forwarding).

Customs broker C.H. Powell Co., its client Casual Male Corp., and consolidator Overseas Consolidation Service (OCS) are teaming up for a pilot project this spring to provide advance cargo information to U.S. Customs.

If the idea works, brokers will help Customs meet its objective of tighter security in the international supply chain, said Peter Powell Sr., president of C.H. Powell. The project will use existing data to "push the border out," allowing Customs to collect information on U.S.-bound shipments before they leave the factory overseas.

"We should be able to provide Customs with the kind of comfort-level information they are looking for," Powell said. As a side benefit, the system also may help importers track manufacturing and transportation at overseas locations.

The project also gives the private sector an opportunity to show Customs and other government agencies what can be done to improve cargo security with existing resources. Since Sept. 11, government and industry have struggled with the complex issue of making the freight transportation system safe from terrorist incursion. There are numerous proposals, but many will take months or …