Kerlikowske Expects Expansion of Pre-Inspection Programs in Mexico

There's already a "strong case" to quickly expand pre-inspection programs for goods entering the U.S. from Mexico based on the ongoing pilots, CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske said while speaking June 15 at a Wilson Center event about the U.S.-Mexico border (here). Despite the promising early stages of the programs (see 1601130018), there are some political issues, particularly immigration and border security, that make more rapid expansion difficult, Kerlikowske said. "I think more can be accomplished as we look at these pilot programs," but "I would not expect significant changes" in the near future as evaluation continues, he said. "There's nothing that I would see in the future that would inhibit expansion and discussion around some of these."

CBP personnel that work on the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism are very much aware of the benefits of continuing close collaboration with the North American countries, Kerlikowske said. Continuity shouldn't be an issue after he leaves the agency this year, based on the number of high-quality personnel appointed to leadership positions, he said of his coming departure. Much of the progress made at CBP over the last couple of years is also largely irreversible, he said.

The ongoing transition to ACE will add transparency to trade processing, and filing rates within ACE continue to grow, Kerlikowske said. Eventually, CBP will look beyond the U.S. for ACE to involve "foreign government partners," he said. More than 92% of all imports are now being processed in ACE," Kerlikowske said in prepared remarks (here). "CBP’s Single Window team and Mexican Customs have worked closely to harmonize data set standards used by both countries." Kerlikowske said he remains confident that the agency will be able to implement ACE and the international trade data system by the end of the year, as required under executive order. "