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CBP Opens Auto and Aerospace Center of Excellence and Expertise

Release Date
Thu, 09/06/2012

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) opened the Automotive and Aerospace Center of Excellence and Expertise (CEE) in Detroit Tuesday. The center has begun centralized processing for all trusted partners in the automotive and aerospace industry, providing uniformity for importers within that industry.

"The Center of Excellence and Expertise is an innovative approach to managing trade by both industry and accounts," said Kevin McAleenan, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations. "Leveraging the right mix of CBP skill sets in the center brings together an environment that promotes industry expertise and collaboration."

CBP's centers offer one-stop processing to lower the trade's cost of business, provide greater consistency and predictability and enhance CBP enforcement efforts. The centers are coordinated from strategic locations, but are manned by CBP personnel across the country. The centers represent CBP's expanded focus on "Trade in the 21st Century," transforming customs procedures to align with modern business. By having the centers focus on industry-specific issues, CBP is able to provide tailored support to unique trading environments.

"The opening of the Automotive and Aerospace Center is another important milestone on our path toward efficient trade facilitation in the 21st Century," said Allen Gina, Assistant Commissioner, Office of International Trade. "By improving coordination between CBP and industry, we will see benefits that advance our nation's economic competitiveness."

Center personnel answer questions, provide information and develop trade facilitation strategies to address uniformity and compliance concerns. They will also serve as a single point of processing for businesses enrolled in CBP's trusted shipper programs: the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Importer Self-Assessment (ISA).

The Automotive and Aerospace Center joins the Pharmaceutical Center and Electronic Center already operating in New York and Los Angeles, respectively. CBP expects to stand up the Petroleum, Natural Gas and Minerals Center in Houston, before the end of this month.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021