November 27, 2012

Mayor Emanuel Welcomes the Creation of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Center of Excellence and Expertise to Chicago

One-Stop Virtual Center to Greater Facilitate International Trade

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Today, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the expansion of their innovative trade program Centers of Excellence and Expertise (CEE), naming Chicago as the new Center of Excellence and Expertise for trade in Base Metals.

The CEE Centers are virtual, industry-focused one-stop shops for trade, serving as a single point of processing for importers. Having CBP staff dedicated to Base Metals trade in Chicago will provide tailored support for this important industry, help lower costs for businesses and provide greater consistency while improving customs and boarders enforcement efforts. Chicago is a top service port for base metals and a leading location for importers.

“I welcome the creation of a Center of Excellence and Expertise to Chicago and applaud efforts by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to further facilitate trade,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “As we continue to strengthen and build our local economy, we must use all efficiencies and tools provided to bolster trade and job creation in Chicago.”

In today’s expansion, CPB focused on six new industries:  agriculture and prepared products; apparel and textiles; base metals; consumer products; industrial and manufacturing materials and machinery. CBP began establishing CEE Centers in October of 2011 with Centers in New York and Los Angeles and in the Fall of 2012 Centers in Houston and Detroit were implemented with focus on automobile, aerospace and petroleum. 

For more information, visit:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_transformation/industry_int/

 

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