Import/Export Modernization, Improved Enforcement Among CBP’s Near-Term Priorities

Thursday, October 25, 2018
Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report

Further enhancing supply chain security, modernizing import and export processes, improving trade intelligence, and maximizing efficiencies are the four major areas U.S. Customs and Border Protection will focus on over the next two years. These goals are set forth in CBP’s “Trade Strategy 2020,” which builds on the tools and authorities provided by the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act and provides a framework for agency priorities within its overarching mission of providing trade security, enforcement, and facilitation.

Supply Chain Security. CBP is looking to enhance the trusted trader concept by expanding the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, achieving a “one U.S. government” approach, and securing reciprocal benefits under trading partners’ authorized economic operator programs. Other objectives include managing imports and exports through the 1USG single window, deploying authentication technologies to reduce supply chain barriers, and ensuring that e-commerce shipments are secure.

Trade Facilitation. Developing a “Customs Modernization Act 2.0” to update statutory authorities to reflect the contemporary international trade and customs environment is a high priority, as is streamlining CBP regulations in accordance with White House directives. CBP is also looking to modernize the export process by obtaining advance information, extending single-window functionality to exports, and investing in “export front-line operations.” Facilitating legitimate e-commerce is also a key goal.

Enforcement. CBP intends to take an integrated approach to trade enforcement through a national commercial enforcement analysis and response process, a proactive 1USG approach, implementation of the Enforce and Protect Act, and focus on forced labor and priority trade issues. CBP also plans to strengthen targeting efficiencies using predictive analytics and intelligence and to drive “consequence delivery” through importer risk assessment and network investigations.

Resource Optimization. Among CBP’s objectives are identifying, negotiating, and implementing resource strategies and investing in people and technologies, including enhancement of the Automated Commercial Environment, sustaining the single window, and investigating emerging technologies.

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