Certainly, many inputs will be available locally in quantities and quality that support world-class manufacturing. However, even in a developed market such as the United States, a complex manufacturing operation will be competitive globally only if it has access to worldwide competition to provide the highest quality and lowest cost inputs. Consequently, access to imported raw materials and components is an important consideration in plant siting, and customs administration is critically important to this process by determining the amount of time imports will be delayed in customs clearance, and by determining the predictability of the duty cost of imported inputs. Decreased cycle time leads to lower inventories, with correspondingly lower inventory costs and need for working capital, and increased customer responsiveness. In order to support world-class manufacturing, customs clearance time must be measured not in weeks, or even days, but in hours.
Predictability is as important as speed.
Input flows need to be planned carefully, and reliability of delivery is key. Delayed delivery of a needed input can shut down an entire manufacturing line, at enormous cost. Customs' efforts to enhance trade facilitation thus contribute directly to the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing and thereby promotes exports. By providing reliable, timely customs clearance, including immediate release based on pre-clearance, and by providing predictable, consistent treatment to imports, the United States Customs Service creates an enormous competitive advantage for our country in attracting and maintaining our manufacturing base. Customs' efforts to provide greater service and trade facilitation should be viewed in the context of this important contribution to our domestic economy.