Bersin to expedite customs broker licenses

Bersin to expedite customs broker licenses    U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin plans to release $1 million from his personal reserve account to significantly accelerate the process of issuing customs broker licenses.
   He made the announcement last week during a quarterly meeting of the Commercial Operations Advisory Committee in Philadelphia.
   Under the existing paper-intensive process, it can take one year or more from the time an applicant passes the broker exam until he or she receives a license.
   Daniel Baldwin, assistant commissioner for trade, said the agency eventually wants to shorten that time to 45 to 60 days, but in a follow-up correspondence a CBP spokesperson said 90 days is a more realistic initial target.

Bersin

   The improved turnaround is the result of an agreement between CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to streamline how background investigations are conducted. Delays presently are common because the investigations have a low priority with ICE and are compounded by the use of paper fingerprint cards that are forwarded to the FBI for criminal history checks.
   The vetting function will now be the responsibility of CBP, and most checks will simply involve an interview of the subject rather than contacting neighbors, friends and colleagues for reference checks as is typically done for government security clearances.
   The money will be used to automate major portions of the vetting and fingerprinting process that will allow these functions to be performed by CBP staff and speed issuance of the license. The Office of Global Enrollment, which handles fingerprinting and interviews of participants in trusted traveler programs, will manage the verification.
   Bersin said correcting the broker license process demonstrates his commitment since taking office in March to quickly find solutions to long-festering problems affecting the trade community. Brokerage firms have complained that they have a hard time replacing or adding staff needed to maintain business with importers. The length of time it takes to obtain a license also prevents people from earning a livelihood, Bersin said. ' Eric Kulisch