Kerlikowske Outlines Broad Vision for Future of Brokers
CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske laid out some expectations for the customs broker industry as the profession evolves alongside the agency during a speech at a National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America conference on Sept. 28. "CBP’s vision for the future Professional Broker is one that includes adapting to technology changes, maintaining expertise in compliance, while balancing responsibilities to clients and the law," he said (here). "Future changes include removing district boundaries, creating opportunities for brokers to leverage automation, expand your geographic reach, and increase your level of service and professional value."
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Kerlikowske also called on the brokers to aid in the ongoing transition to specialized Centers of Excellence and Expertise. "We are counting on you, as brokers, to make sure that importers know that their transactions will now be handled by a Center," he said. "Your help is critical in smoothing the transition to this new, more efficient way of doing business." Three CEEs are already handling post-release trade processing of entry summaries for their respective industries and seven more are set to follow this year (see 1506240016).
The use of customs fees to fund programs outside of CBP is a source of concern at the agency, Kerlikowske said. Asked about a recent Senate Highway Trust Fund bill that made use of customs fees to offset costs of transportation funding, Kerlikowske said "those fees are important" when the agency looks at way to speed travel and trade. "We certainly have made our voices known that using those fees in a different way could really impact us," he said.