May.14--US CUSTOMS and Border Protection has opened two of its latest import centres, one with an automotive and aerospace focus in Detroit and the other with petroleum, natural gas and mineral focus in Houston.
    Following a year-long pilot scheme, opening two "Centres of Excellence and Expertise (CEE)", one in Los Angeles, specialising in electronics and another in New York, focussing on pharmaceuticals, customs finds it can increase volumes handled so now plans six more centres by 2015.
    In a written statement CBP acting commissioner David Aguilar said CEEs will facilitate trade compliance by using specialist teams for specific industries, reported American Shipper. "These centres bring all of CBP's trade expertise to bear on a single industry in one strategic location," he said.
    By centralising the import process for imported shippers, those of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism or Importer Self-Assessment programmes, the CBP hopes to avoid unnecessary delays. It can then check compliance on overall accounts for certified traders as opposed to every shipment and focus on real risk for safety, intellectual property or trade violations.

(Source:shippingazette)