CBP Lays Out Plans, Expectations for Agency Trade Operations Under Sequestration

CBP released several documents outlining the agency's plans and expectations for operations following the budget cuts that took effect March 1. The agency will allow for operations as usual for Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS), the agency said. CBP has said it will continue to keep security, including radiation portal monitors, as a top priority during the cuts, but that trade processing could see major delays as a result of CBP furlough and cuts to overtime expenses. A list of CBP's trade priorities following sequestration is (here).

CBP supply chain security specialists, account managers, and Center of Excellence and Expertise (CEE) personnel, will also continue to be available to assist with any inquiries, it said. "Providing such access to our Trade partners that have invested time and resources to participate in CBP programs is important to CBP" and CBP will hold weekly telephone conference calls between the Office of Field Operations, Office of International Trade and cargo industry stakeholders "to discuss any trade issues that may be the result of sequestration."

There will be no special procedures for conveyance diversions during trade disruptions such as natural disasters or labor disputes, said the agency. All ports will be operating with reduced resources, "providing no realistic gain for conveyance diversions," said CBP. CBP is working to assess how the sequestration plans of other agencies will impact the flow of international trade. For example, CBP identified that the sequestration plan of the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) may not have a significant impact on trade transactions at the port level.

The sequestration cuts will be made equally across the agency, with no preference by port of arrival, said CBP. The first cuts will reduce overtime beginning March 1 and personnel furloughs may begin in mid-April, it said. "CBP managers at the field offices and ports of entry conducted an in-depth analysis of their operations to identify any current activities, duties, and hours of operation that could be adjusted to mitigate the impact of the significant reductions in expenditures mandated by the sequester." CBP estimates delays up to several hours at land border crossings, passenger processing times may increase by about 50 percent, and there may be up to an additional five days added to cargo inspections at ocean ports of entry. There may be more changes to inspections, once furloughs begin, it said. There could be some eventual delays in providing advice and rulings and the continued rollouts of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and the CEEs.

Importer Advice

CBP stressed the importance of pre-filing entry information. Pre-filing the entry gives CBP and other federal agencies an opportunity to conduct risk assessments and resolve outstanding issues before the cargo arrives in the U.S. and allows agencies to provide the trade with a release decision as early as possible, it said. CBP said it will continue to process perishable commodities as a top cargo priority and will work with its partner government agencies that have oversight responsibilities for import and export shipments to minimize the disruption caused by sequestration. CBP's "non-mission critical expenditures such as travel and training will be curtailed," it said. "While regrettable, this means that trade stakeholders should not plan on attendance by CBP personnel (or as a speaker) for conferences or meetings in the near to mid-term."

(See ITT's Online Archives 13022831 for summary of expected impacts of sequestration to CBP rulings and other agencies.)

A CBP list of questions and answers regarding the agency's post-sequestration operations is (here). A list of frequently asked questions on the impact of budget cuts on travel and trade is (here).