Introduction by Roger Creery

BASC

Note: In January, 1999, the Laredo Development Foundation (LDF) began working with other South Texas border organizations, Texas A & M International University, and U.S. Customs to help implement the business-driven BASC program.

The Business Anti-Smuggling Coalition was initiated by MATTEL, Inc. On June 23, 1996, the Border Trade Alliance endorsed the project. With the leadership of MATTEL and a few other companies concerned about the integrity of international trade shipments. The BASC program dovetails with and is similar to, the U.S. Customs Carrier Initiative Program, and CTPAT. The Business Anti-Smuggling Coalition is a strictly voluntary business sector initiative formed to eliminate international trade shipments as a viable option for drug smuggling and contraband by having importers and their partners, including maquiladora plants, carriers, customhouse brokers and warehouse proprietors develop self-imposed business standards and security measures to effectively deter narcotics traffickers.

The business-driven BASC program is an opportunity for the private sector to help U.S. Customs set standards - standards tailored to fit individual businesses, self-policing standards that make sense, standards that are not imposed from above without regard to business realities.

Generally, the importer will develop a corporate agreement with U.S. Customs and then require agreements with the company's vendors (maquiladora plants, carriers, customhouse brokers and warehouse proprietors) In other words, cooperating importers will only do business with vendors with BASC agreements. MATTEL began with its own "Code of Business Conduct" which stated in part:

"Mattel is committed to providing a safe and drug free shipping environment. As a result, we will take all reasonable measures to provide a drug free workplace for our employees and ensure that illegal drugs are not smuggled with our imported products.

The advantages of the BASC program to private business sector participants are as follows:

1. It protects the company's name, reputation and corporate image.

2. It helps maintain just-in-time delivery schedules.

3. It reduces cargo theft and vandalism.

4. It reduces insurance claims and premiums

5. It helps reduce the risk of being targeted by drug smugglers.

6. It discourages employees from the temptations of attempting drug smuggling.

7. It gains national as well as local recognition from U.S. Customs as a cooperative voluntary participant.

8. It's the right thing to do to help protect our families and children from drugs.

The BASC Agreements are to be individually developed to suit each participating company. Applications are available at LDF to provide general guidelines.

The BASC Agreements include but are not limited to such items as:

Company-wide drug awareness programs.
Background checks of employees.
Incentive programs for information on illegal drug activity.
Perimeter security at plant or storage facilities.
Limited access to shipping and receiving areas.
Visitor control and segregated parking areas.
Employee training programs on detecting drugs.
Immediate notification of U.S. Customs upon discovery of drugs
or suspected drug shipments.
Continual monitoring/inspection program for all vulnerable areas.
Continual cooperation and communication with U.S. Customs.
Quarterly Certification/Status Reports covering all items in the agreement.

For more information on the program, please contact Timothy Franciscus-Timm at (956) 722-0563 or you may download a copy of the BASC Application in PDF format.