What is the Mod Act?
The main purpose of the Mod Act (Customs Modernization Act) is to streamline and automate the U.S. Customs Service, improve compliance with trade laws and provide safeguards, uniformity and “due process” to importers. The Mod Act is based on two basic tenets, shared responsibility and informed compliance. Shared responsibility means that importers and U.S. Customs have a mutual responsibility to ensure compliance with trade and Customs laws. The purpose of informed compliance is to maximize voluntary compliance. The informed compliance concept imposed many publication, consultation and notice obligations on Customs.
