Role of CEEs as Liaison Expected to Grow

BALTIMORE -- The role of the Centers of Excellence and Expertise as a liaison between the port and the other government agencies is expected to grow as the program matures, said CBP and industry panelists while discussing the program at the East Coast Trade Symposium on Nov. 5. CBP is set to continue its expanded use of the CEEs, with plans to open the Apparel CEE to the entire industry by the end of the year (see 1511040014). While speaking with reporters on Nov. 4, Todd Owen, assistant commissioner of CBP’s Office of Field Operations, said the other six CEEs will also open to entire industries by June.

Through the CEEs, CBP's ability to take a national view of imports for specific industries allows for a significant benefit to participants, said JoAnne Colonnello, director of the Pharmaceutical CEE in New York. The major benefits have more to do with liaison than with release, she said. For example, if a "certain commodity is being released in Newark, but you get some long delays in Long Beach" a CEE may be able to facilitate the exchange of information to focus on a certain issue, she said.

The CEEs can also aid in developing new programs, said Colonnello. The Pharmaceutical CEE is now working with Port of Philadelphia to further expand the Pharmaceutical Agriculture Release Program, a pilot program between U.S. Department of Agriculture and CBP, said Colonnello. The pilot allows for pre-approval of goods that are exempt from veterinary service certification, which means such shipments don't need to await certification once they arrive at the port, she said. Although now limited to Philadelphia, the chief agriculture specialist is pushing CBP headquarters to create a national program, said Colonnello. "The whole thing with the participating government agencies is evolving," but it's worth involving a CEE if there is a question, she said.

The mandatory use of the Automated Commercial Environment will also help the CEEs, said Colonnello. "If there's refunds, you're going to get your refunds back quicker," she said. "If there's bills, you're going to get your bills quicker. Either way, it means the workload is processed quicker." ACE will also allow for easier document review between the CEEs and headquarters, she said. Additionally, CBP will be able to review all the questions it asked of importers and the responses it received to better inform future issues, said Leon Hayward, assistant director at the CBP's New York field office.

Participants within the CEEs ahead of the widespread expansion can continue to expect higher levels of service and attention, said Tinesha Cherry, assistant director at the automotive CEE, which is scheduled to take on its full industry in 2016. While the entire industry will receive the national processing, "those that are part of the highest level of trusted trader, just like now" will have that "tailor made" support, she said. "When the time comes, there will be some separation of service," said Cherry. Asked about the different levels of service and concerns for smaller companies taking part of the CEEs, Cherry said while the participants that invested in the trusted trader programs will see some differences in treatment, all the companies will see benefits and can weigh in on various issues.