§4317 Centers of Excellence and Expertise

Summary

The Commissioner must, after talking with the right congressional committees and the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee under section 4316, create and run Centers of Excellence and Expertise across U.S. Customs and Border Protection. These centers must help enforce import rules the same way at all ports, speed up legitimate trade, increase industry-specific knowledge and targeting for enforcement (including priority trade issues in section 4322), centralize trade work, build CBP expertise about industries and supply chains, use an account-based approach when needed, grow trusted-partner programs, measure performance, and share information with other federal agencies when possible. By December 31, 2016, the Commissioner must send a report to the same congressional committees that explains for each center its structure and functions; how well it enforces rules and helps trade (including priority trade issues); the measurable and other benefits to the trade community and partners; the performance metrics used; how it improves trade data and information sharing with other agencies; and any planned changes to the centers.