Office of Trade

• Developing binding administrative rulings and other decisions on the classification of imports
• Promulgating CBP regulations related to customs revenue functions and border security functions
• Adjudicating and giving legal guidance for violations of the customs laws, regulations and policies
• Providing guidance to CBP field personnel and members of the importing community on intellectual property rights 
• Administering exclusion orders issued by the United States International Trade Commission
• Drafting appeal decisions in CBP Freedom of Information Act cases

Overview
Our auditors travel the nation and the world, leading audits and participating in trade investigations, to create a fair and level playing field for U.S. companies and to ensure U.S. economic competitiveness. A career with Office of Trade means that you will be part of a team of over 300 auditors located across the country. You will audit companies and compile evidence to enforce compliance with trade laws and regulations related to forced labor, trade agreements, trade remedies, antidumping and countervailing duties, intellectual property rights, money laundering, environmental crime, and more.

Your work will have a ripple effect across the globe, fostering an environment where the United States economy can thrive and consumers can trust the goods they purchase are legally, ethically, and humanely sourced.

Typical Assignments

Auditors develop findings based on evidence, that may be a result of negligence, gross negligence, or fraud by:

• Providing the financial “Big Picture”;
• ­Tracing voluminous amounts of import data and supply chain and production records;
• ­Analyzing accounting and bank records, tax returns, and financial statements;
• ­Developing trend analyses of import, financial, and accounting activities;
• ­Linking unlawful, criminal activity to proceeds and assets;

• Conducting research on topics relevant to CBP regulatory matters
• Gathering, analyzing and presenting data findings and recommendations
• Develop and draft economic analysis reports
• Participating in intra-agency and interagency working groups concerned with homeland security and international trade policies
• Reviewing regulations from other DHS components to ensure continuity with CBP positions

• ​​​Providing advice to management and government agencies regarding international trade law enforcement policy
• Serving as the primary liaison between CBP and entities representing an assigned strategic sector or trade issue
• Developing performance measures to assess effectiveness in trade compliance and trade law enforcement activity
• Researching and analyzing trade law enforcement activity for compliance risk
• Assisting management in planning, executing and evaluating trade program and policy areas

• Mastering a particular commodity of import/export goods such as textiles or pharmaceuticals
• Tracking and inspecting goods going in and out of the U.S. at a land border crossing, seaport or airport
• Inspecting cargo manifests and documents and making physical inspections in cargo holds and terminal facilities
• Issuing penalties and fines and seizing prohibited or suspect cargo
• Participating in negotiations and legal prosecution

• Assisting policy makers in developing, evaluating, analyzing and interpreting policies to resolve significant problems
• Performing a range of developmental assignments and program activities including statistical research, performance measurement, information systems, organizational structure, planning and control systems, and new methods and procedures
• Planning, developing and coordinating management activities through briefings, presentations and conferences