CBP Announces Creation of New "Office of Trade"
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a press release announcing the formation of a new office that will consolidate CBP's trade policy, program development, and compliance measurement functions into a single Office of Trade.
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According to CBP, the Office of Trade will embark on its mission on October 15, 2006 and will provide greater consistency within CBP with respect to its international trade programs and operations, and further CBP's ability to facilitate the flow of legitimate trade across U.S. borders, while securing U.S. borders and protecting the American economy from unfair trade practices and illicit commercial enterprises.
The press release indicates that Dan Baldwin, the current Assistant Commissioner of CBP's Office of Strategic Trade, will assume leadership of the new office upon its establishment.
Office of Trade Will Consolidate Trade Policy, Program Development, and Compliance Measurement
CBP's press release explains that the functions of trade policy and program development are split among three offices within CBP: the Office of Strategic Trade, the Office of Regulations and Rulings, and the Office of Field Operations.
CBP notes that the new Office of Trade will consolidate the trade policy, program development and compliance measurement functions of CBP into one office without creating dual reporting mechanisms or overlapping, redundant management structures that would disrupt the closely interrelated activities of CBP officers and operators processing arriving cargo at U.S. ports of entry.
Highlights of Office of Trade's Responsibilities
According to CBP, the Office of Trade will also develop national trade policies and programs that will guide the work done by CBP officers in ports of entry, but managing and carrying out cargo processing operations will remain the responsibility of CBP's Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations, working through his chain of command.
The new Office of Trade will be responsible for:
Directing national enforcement responses through effective targeting of goods crossing the border as well as strict, swift punitive actions against companies participating in predatory trade practices.
Coordinating with international partners to ensure effective enforcement of textile admissibility issues as well as the enforcement of free trade agreement (FTA) eligibility.
Cooperating with other U.S. agencies and like-minded foreign governments to achieve effective enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR).
Maintaining effective internal controls over the revenue process.
Coordinating with other government agencies and international partners to identify risks to detect and prevent contaminated agricultural or food products from harming the American public or the nation's economy.
Promoting trade facilitation and partnership with the importing community and trade associations by streamlining the flow of legitimate shipments and fostering corporate self-governance as a means of achieving compliance with trade laws and regulations.
Managing a risk-based audit program to respond to allegations of commercial fraud and to conduct corporate reviews of internal controls to ensure importers comply with trade laws and regulations.
Providing legal tools to promote facilitation and compliance with customs, trade, and border security requirements through: the issuance of CBP regulations, legally binding rulings and decisions, informed compliance publications and structured programs for external CBP training and outreach on international trade laws and CBP regulations.
Reorganization Expected to Have Minimal Effect on CBP Employees
CBP states that the effect of this reorganization on CBP employees is expected to be minimal, with minor changes to existing offices, divisions and branches. Most employees will see little or no change, other than a realignment to the new Office.
CBP Press Release (dated 09/13/06) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09132006.xml