cross-border shipment data are now under way. In May, the CAFES (Customs

Automated Forms Entry System) project was launched in Laredo, Texas, and Port

Huron, Mich. Participating motor carriers will use two-dimensional bar codes

to speed up the processing of in-bond documentation. Customs inspectors scan

the bar codes, instantly uploading information to the ACS (Automated

Commercial System) operating system. In just seconds, the information is

validated and the in-bond shipment can be released. Earlier this month, the

long-awaited ITDS (International Trade Data System) project began its test

phase at Buffalo, N.Y.-area bridges. ITDS is expected to link federal agencies

that require international trade data into a single system, eliminating the

need for importers to file the same information in different forms with

multiple agencies.

customs brokers along the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada. Big Brown has

purchased two well-known Southwestern brokers, the Miles Group Inc., parent

company of Herman Miles Trucking and Rudolph Miles & Sons customs brokers

in El Paso, Texas, and William F. Joffroy Inc. of Nogales, Ariz. On the

northern border, UPS snapped up H.A.&J.L. Wood Inc. of Pembina, N.D.;

Border Brokerage Co. of Blaine, Wash.; Fulfillment Systems International of

Buffalo, N.Y.; Trans-Border Customs Service of Champlain, N.Y.; and W.Y.

Moberly Inc. of Sweetgrass, Mont. The acquisitions are part of the formation

of a new customs brokerage and freight-forwarding subsidiary that also

includes Fritz Cos.

running a U.S. Gulf-to-Mexico ocean service. The Mexican carrier will offer

weekly, fixed-day container service from the Port of Mobile, Ala., to the

ports of Progreso and Seybaplaya, just outside of Mérida and Campeche,

respectively. Strachan Shipping Agency of Mobile has been appointed as

agent.

Camacho coordinator for all ports of entry at the U.S.-Mexico border. A

familiar face at many border ports, Camacho will be responsible for

coordinating customs activities with state, local, and other federal agencies.

Camacho's most recent position was director of the Southern California Customs

Management Center, where he was responsible for overseeing all inspection and

commercial activities at five border stations and five entry ports.