U.S. Customs Service: Observations on Selected Operations and Program Issues

This testimony discusses three issues on selected U.S. Customs Service programs and operations. First, concerning the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), a more capable import processing system designed to replace Customs' current aging and error-prone system, GAO concluded that Customs' plan constituted a reasonable first step on a complex, long-term modernization program. Pursuant to its obligation to review ACE expenditures, GAO plans to continue monitoring Customs' ongoing modernization efforts. Second, GAO found that Customs' Office of Regulations and Rulings headquarters did not issue the majority of its rulings in a timely manner. Finally, GAO found that if proposed legislation on Customs officers' night pay had been in effect during fiscal year 1999, the officers would have received about $6 million in night differential pay. Furthermore, across the five ports GAO reviewed, the impact on officers' pay varied widely because of the differences in shift patterns.