FACT SHEET 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection manages and 

secures our nation’s borders. In the international 

trade arena, CBP enforces U.S. trade laws, facilitates compliant trade, collects revenue and protects 

the U.S. economy and consumers from harmful 

imports and unfair trade practices. 

The CBP Trade Strategy is the agency’s strategic 

plan for effectively facilitating the flow of legitimate commerce and enforcing U.S. trade laws. 

Trade Vision 

The CBP vision for trade is: A swift flow of legitimate imports entering the U.S. marketplace, free 

from harm to the U.S. economy and consumers, 

through: • Enforcement: U.S. trade laws are enforced,

with harmful and non-compliant cargo intercepted and deterred.

• Facilitation: Legitimate imports are identified

and rapidly admitted to consumers and industry

without disruption.

• Partnerships

: Compliant and secure trade is

ensured and supported by mutually beneficial

partnerships.

• Risk Management: Emerging risks are mitigated through the development of actionable

national trade policy.

• Modernization: Modernized processes and

technology enable a streamlined import process.

Strategic Goals and Objectives 

The trade strategy presents four goals for 

the agency. The first three focus on improving CBP’s ability to facilitate legitimate 

trade, enforce U.S. trade laws, and protect 

the American economy and people. The 

fourth goal addresses the unique enabling 

elements required by CBP to realize the 

benefits of modernization. • Facilitate Legitimate Trade and Ensure Compliance: Ensure the compliance of the overall import stream and

improve the speed at which legitimate goods are 

cleared into the U.S. commerce. 

• Enforce U.S. Trade Laws and Collect Accurate Revenue: Apply consistent enforcement

actions enabled by effective risk management

and targeting and optimize lawful duty collection.

• Advance National and Economic Security:

Protect consumers and the economy from harmful imported goods and unfair trade practices,

advance U.S. government security and safety

priorities, and strengthen national trade policy.

• Intensify Modernization of CBP’s Trade

Processes: Build organizational capacity to

streamline processes, strengthen workforce

skills, and realize the benefits of modernization.

Layered Approach to Trade Facilitation 

and Enforcement 

A layered approach to trade facilitation and enforcement is of utmost importance to the successful 

achievement of these goals. it advances trade operations beyond the physical border by developing preentry and post-release verification programs, thereby 

reducing unnecessary delays at the border and increasing the quality of both trade and security outcomes. This comprehensive approach is a dynamic 

response to the nature of today’s international trade 

environment. 

For more information, visit the www.CBP.gov Web site 

or contact the Office of Public Affairs at 202-344-1770. 

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Strategy for Facilitating and 

Securing Trade into the U.S. 
FACT SHEET 

Strategies 

CBP will focus on executing strategies that will achieve the CTS goals and objectives 

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09 

Strategy for Facilitating and 

Securing Trade into the U.S. 

High-Level Strategies: 

Modernize processes and technology to integrate 

trade workflow, streamline the import process, 

and enhance delivery of service. 

Educate personnel on the practical application of 

trade laws, focus training efforts on priority 

trade issues and emerging high-risk areas, and 

expand access to information. 

Communicate within CBP and to stakeholders the 

benefits of modernization, implementation 

time-frames, resource requirements, and 

milestone achievements. 

Develop data management and quality assurance 

approaches to provide accurate and timely information to decision makers and stakeholders in support of implementation. 

4: Intensify Modernization of 

High-Level Strategies: 

Build a prevention-focused import lifecycle by enhancing tools that link trade data and providing 

a clear view of supply chain history. 

Develop tools and provide training that improves 

risk analysis, targeting, and inspections. 

Advance the security mission through regulation 

development, audit assistance, and optimal allocation of trade resources. 

Provide input to trade law development to encourage responsive, comprehensive, and 

actionable policy. 

Collaborate with other U.S. government agencies 

to clearly define roles and responsibilities 

and ensure a comprehensive enforcement 

ap-proach. 

3: Advance National 

High-Level Strategies: 

Leverage partnerships to ensure compliance 

through sharing of comprehensive advance information, participation in compliance improvement programs, and expansion of mutually 

beneficial arrangements. 

Investigate leading edge risk management and 

targeting technologies to improve identification 

and facilitation of compliant imports. 

Promote compliance in the pre-entry environment 

and verify compliance in the post-release

1: Facilitate Legitimate Trade 

and Ensure Compliance

High-Level Strategies: 

Collaborate with partners to understand current 

and emerging risks, maintain comprehensive 

and responsive risk profiles, and improve targeting for non-compliance. 

Enhance the deterrent effect of enforcement actions, including a reformed penalty process to 

issue significant and timely penalties to correct 

non-compliant behavior. 

Enhance CBP’s trade expertise through training 

and access to information. 

2: Enforce Trade Laws and Collect Accurate 

Revenue 

Benefits of the Plan: This strategic plan will foster economic security, enhance the competitiveness of U.S. 

industry, and protect the safety and security of trade for American industry and consumers. It will improve 

CBP’s ability to enforce trade laws and stop harmful imports, develop meaningful relationships with the 

trade community and other stakeholders, and result in a modernized organization that strongly contributes 

to lawful import of compliant trade. 

Copies of the full strategy can be found at 

https://www.cbp.gov/document/fact-sheets/strategy-facilitating-and-securing-trade-us

environment, wherever possible.