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All Systems Go: CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise

Release Date
Mon, 03/28/2016

Author: Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske

One of CBP’s many responsibilities includes protecting our nation’s economic security while preventing the importation of harmful goods and products. That means ensuring the safety and efficiency of the supply chain, helping importers get their legitimate goods into the country – and into the commerce stream – as quickly and securely as possible.

Commissioner Kerlikowske toured the inspection area where CBP Agriculture Specialists inspect flowers for invasive pests.
Commissioner Kerlikowske toured the
inspection area where CBP Agriculture
Specialists inspect flowers for invasive pests.

 

Five years ago, CBP launched an ambitious program to align our trade processing procedures more closely to the ways our industry stakeholders operate. We began creating Centers of Excellence and Expertise to process post-release trade activities virtually within industry sectors based on account-focused principles.

I’m pleased to announce that all 10 Centers are now fully operational. The Centers are transforming the way we interact with our trade stakeholders – enabling us to meet the challenges of increasing trade volumes while strengthening our key trade enforcement capabilities. This extraordinary shift in the way we do business reduces transaction costs, increases uniformity and consistency, boosts compliance with import laws, and facilitates commerce.

Reaching this stage in the development of the Centers reflects considerable work within CBP and with our trade stakeholders to streamline operations and modernize the way we do business. I want to commend CBP’s employees for helping CBP reach this significant milestone.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We facilitate safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.

Last Modified: Jun 26, 2024