CBP opens virtual center for apparel, textile processing

The Center of Excellence and Expertise for apparel, footwear and textiles now has the resources to operate on full-time basis.    The Center of Excellence and Expertise for apparel, footwear and textiles has become the fourth hub within U.S. Customs and Border Protection to move beyond the test phase and assume trade processing for all transactions associated within a designated industry niche.
   CBP said Thursday it has permanently stood up the Apparel, Footwear and Textiles CEE in San Francisco and named Eric Batt as its director. The industry integration center will process entries for more than 67,000 importers of clothing, shoes and raw materials. The CEEs consolidate internal expertise, eliminate redundant work for compliant importers and enable inspectors at ports of entry to focus on checking high-risk shipments. The objective is to achieve more regulatory consistency and reduce transaction costs for businesses by moving post-release compliance reviews and revenue collection away from ports of entry to virtual centers organized by industry. CBP personnel in locations throughout the country will be assigned to the Apparel, Footwear and Textile Center, where they will also resolve trade compliance issues and serve as a single point of contact for trade actions. 
   The first CEE’s to achieve full operational status early this year were ones for electronics in Los Angeles; petroleum, natural gas and minerals in Houston; and pharmaceuticals, health and chemicals in New York.
   CBP said six more Centers will be operating at full tilt by mid-summer.