CBP Needs More Transparency on Importers' Ability to Change Centers of Excellence, COAC Says
CBP needs to develop more transparency about an importer's ability to change their assigned Centers of Excellence and Expertise for both importers and their customs brokers, the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) working group said in recommendations published Feb. 26 ahead of its March 6 meeting, where the recommendations will be voted on for approval (see 2402150016).
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The decade-old Centers can process "post-release trade activities on an industry and account basis," which can improve enforcement efforts and increase industry knowledge, according to a CBP issue paper: "The Centers provide a unique opportunity to not only facilitate trusted partners, but to offer effective trade enforcement by working with the industry to identify potential threats."
The current system of assigning importers to Centers based on their importer of record number and primary product line has created gaps in "expertise and outreach," the COAC said. CBP should develop "more accessible information" to give importers and their brokers on how to change their Centers.
CBP also should improve its sharing of Center-specific data, the COAC working group said. This data would include statistics for the number of importers handled, partner accounts, entry and post-entry volume processed, the number of CBP staff assigned to each Center, the working group said.
The Centers should also develop programs for enhanced visibility and outreach to small- and medium-sized importers and their brokers, the working group said. These programs could include improvements to the CBP Centers’ webpage and "regular calls with Center accounts," it said.
CBP also needs to make sure that the Centers get sufficient resources for "regular outreach," such as more on-site visits with importers "that wish to partner with the Centers to enhance compliance," it said.