MENLO WORLDWIDE TRADE SERVICES COMPLETES FIRST SUCCESSFUL TEST UNDER NEW GOVERNMENT PROGRAM TO HELP IDENTIFY SUSPICIOUS SHIPMENTS

Redwood City, Calif. – July 16, 2004 – In today’s world of increased security and concern over trans-border shipments, both shippers and the government are scrambling to come up with technology that will help identify suspicious shipments quickly without impeding global trade. Menlo Worldwide Trade Services, an Integrated Trade Service Provider (ITSP) that provides customs brokerage, advisory services, learning, managed services and technology, today announced that a major milestone had been reached with the successful completion of the first Entry Summary for the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system’s Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS) test program.

The ACE system is a new, state-of-the-art computer system designed to replace the currently used Automated Commercial System (ACS), an outmoded system that has been used for the past 26 years to expedite the processing of import entries. The ACS system handles 500 million to 600 million entry processing and database access transactions a day.

Recently, 41 importers were selected to begin testing the new ACE system on a limited basis. The first test involved filing entries under the ACE system’s PMS program, a feature that allows importers to use a single, consolidated window to process trade transactions, including the payment of duties, taxes and fees. Three of these selected importers chose to test this ACE function through Menlo Worldwide Trade Services. On Tuesday, June 29, Menlo Worldwide Trade Services became the first company ever to file an entry in the ACE system.

The new ACE system uses a coordinated approach to analytically target passengers, equipment, and cargo. It employs integrated business processes and advanced technology to provide the federal government with a systematic, unified approach to border enforcement. It allows federal agencies charged with protecting the nation’s borders to get the right information, to the right people, at the right time to take appropriate action on suspicious people and shipments.

Without ACE access, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are forced to rely on seven different computer screens and frequently review paper forms to decide whether to allow cargo to enter the country or to detain it for further review. Multiple databases are used by more than 20 separate government agencies with border responsibilities, each requiring different documents at point of entry and time of export. More than 100 agencies have regulations affecting imports and exports, with most of these agencies utilizing paper forms. It is an awkward, inefficient, non-integrated picture.

“Menlo Worldwide Trade Services takes great pride in this accomplishment, which was jointly completed with our technology partner, TradePoint Systems. As a long-time participant in CBP technology initiatives, Menlo Worldwide Trade Services is pleased to continue our leadership position with the first successful transmission of an Entry Summary for the Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS) test,” said Ted Iwaszkiw, vice president, Menlo Worldwide Trade Services.

According to Iwaszkiw, “This milestone in the ACE development process is of particular importance as CBP and other global customs authorities seek to implement new regulatory and security initiatives while maintaining the free flow of international commerce. Implementation of the ACE program is expected to result in significant gains in efficiency for our customers, the trade community and CBP.”

Menlo Worldwide Trade Services provides single-source customs brokerage management; third-party compliance program design and operations; information and technology solutions; advisory services and compliance education programs to companies seeking innovative and process-oriented solutions to their complex trade challenges. Menlo Worldwide Trade Services offers a network of more than 80 trade services units in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

About TradePoint Systems
For more than 30 years TradePoint Systems, part of the Kewill Group, has provided world-class software and services for the compliance, documentation, clearance and tracking of goods and services moving internationally.

About Menlo Worldwide Trade Services:
Menlo Worldwide Trade Services (MWTS) specializes in the innovative design, execution and consistent delivery of integrated customs and trade solutions that enhance a company’s supply chain management programs. Menlo Worldwide Trade Services develops partnerships with companies seeking a single-source trade service provider. In doing so, Menlo Worldwide Trade Services manages the intricacies of international trade by enhancing compliance and the efficient transportation of goods. With over 30 years in the international trade management business, Menlo Worldwide Trade Services has consistently achieved measurable results for its clients. Menlo Worldwide Trade Services uses its single source-capabilities to design and deliver high levels of compliance, lower cycle times, information flow and border security performance within its clients’ supply chains.

About Menlo Worldwide:
Menlo Worldwide was formed in December 2001 and is the parent corporation of Menlo Worldwide Forwarding (formerly Emery Forwarding), Menlo Worldwide Logistics, Vector SCM, Menlo Worldwide Technologies, Menlo Worldwide Expedite! and Menlo Worldwide Trade Services. The companies operating under the Menlo WorldwideSM brand have revenues of US$2.9 billion and employ more than 12,000 people. Menlo Worldwide is based in Redwood City, Calif. and is a business segment of CNF Inc., a US$5.1 billion management company of global supply chain services that also has businesses in regional trucking and trailer manufacturing. CNF is located in Palo Alto, Calif. Information about CNF and Menlo Worldwide can be found on the Internet at http://www.cnf.com/ and http://www.menloworldwide.com/.