Several Operational Questions for CEEs Still Being Considered by CBP

CBP and customs brokers are working together to review and modify the agency's previously released notice describing filing and other operations at the Centers for Excellence and Expertise (CEEs), said Valerie Neuhart, director of industry and account management at CBP. Neuhart spoke on a panel Nov. 27 on CEEs at the CBP East Coast Trade Symposium. There's also still some uncertainty on exactly how CEEs will handle importers that import goods across several industry areas, stakeholders sad.

(CBP issued a Federal Register notice in August outlining filing procedures for the CEEs and giving new authority to directors of the CEEs. The pilot program allows the CEE directors to have similar authority as port directors as a step towards achieving uniformity in the treatment at ports of entry for certain industries. There are currently four operation CEEs, which are divided up by industry. CBP Deputy Commissioner David Aguilar announced plans for six more CEEs during the symposium. See ITT's Online Archives 12112719 for summary of the new CEEs.)

FR Notice Not Meant to be Perfect

The August FR notice wasn't meant to be a perfect and permanent list of requirements, but rather a show of where the agency was headed in terms of operational guidelines, said Neuhart. There's an ongoing look, especially along with customs broker associations, at exactly how the trade will interact with the CEEs, she said. The agency continues to need involvement from brokers to help identify current gaps in the process that don't fit with current business practices and structures, she said.

Brokers remain an important consideration within the CEE concept, said Julie Parks, senior manager-corporate export/import operations at Raytheon, which is active in the CEE program. Brokers will continue to offer a unique perspective for importers and there's no interest in limiting the role of brokers, she said. The brokers are "our partners," said Julie Hughes, president of the U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel. Customs brokers are needed to be involved in the CEEs along with the importers, she said. Neuhart agreed, noting the customs broker working group continues to work toward integrating brokers to best represent small and medium importers, she said.

It's still not clear how CEEs will handle importers of goods that cross between several industry lines as each importer will be assigned a certain CEE. The issue has been the subject of much discussion, said John Leonard, acting executive director for policy and programs at CBP. The CEEs will likely work together like ports do today and because there's fewer centers, its hoped they will work together more "seamlessly," he said. That may mean close and daily interaction between the CEEs regarding the imports of big retailers who bring in several types of goods, said Hughes. The National Account Manager program will also likely continue whether or an importer is using the CEEs, said Leonard.