Reimbursable Services Program

Field Operations use of resource optimization to enhance the mission of CBP. — Resource optimization to enhance the mission of CBP.

The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Reimbursable Services Program (RSP) is a strategic initiative designed to address the increasing demand for CBP services in high-traffic areas. Established under the Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act of 2016, the program enables CBP to collaborate with private sector and government entities to provide additional inspection services on a reimbursable basis. This approach ensures that essential services such as customs inspections, immigration processing, and agriculture examinations can be expanded to where services were previously unavailable.

Through the RSP, stakeholders like airports, seaports, and land ports of entry can request extended service hours, temporary personnel during peak periods, or support for special events. By facilitating faster processing times and reducing bottlenecks, the program enhances operational efficiency and economic competitiveness. Participation is voluntary and involves an application process, culminating in a reimbursable agreement that outlines the terms and costs. This innovative public-private partnership model modernizes border operations while upholding CBP's mission to secure U.S. borders and promote lawful trade and travel.

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Types of Services

Overtime Services

These services can include customs, immigration, agricultural processing, border security and support at any facility^§ where CBP provides or will provide services, and may cover costs such as salaries, benefits, overtime expenses, administration, and transportation costs. Agreements may not unduly and permanently impact existing services.

Full Time Employee Services

In the air environment, the program may only be used for overtime and agriculture services. However, small air ports of entry with fewer than 100,000 international passengers arriving annually can use the program to offset CBP for the salaries and expenses of up to five full-time officers.

^§Services at Centralized Examination Stations (CES)

Applicants requesting CBP services at Centralized Examination Stations (CES) must be aware that execution of a Reimbursable Services Agreement does not constitute a waiver of any clause in the Requestor’s CES agreement with CBP or any statutes, regulations, or other authorities applicable to the Requestor, including Part 118 of Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The applicant must agree that fee agreement costs billed by CBP pursuant to a Reimbursable Services Agreement are considered charges or expenses incurred in connection with the operation of a CES and therefore must be assumed by the Requestor and not billed to third parties.

^§Applications for Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)

Applications for Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) oversight will not be considered for Reimbursable Services Agreements.

Program Impact

Since program inception, CBP has entered into over 500 agreements, providing more than 1.6 million additional processing hours at the request of our partners - accounting for the processing of more than 21.8 million travelers and over 2.4 million personal and commercial vehicles at land border ports of entry. At sea ports of entry, the RSP program has contributed to nearly 2 million additional agricultural and radiation portal monitor inspections.

The program continues to expand as new agreements are signed every year.