What is the role of the Office of Trade within CBP?

The Office of Trade within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plays a critical role in recommending and enforcing compliance with trade laws. This office is tasked with ensuring that the U.S. trade policies are adhered to and that international trade operates fairly and legally. By focusing on trade compliance, the Office of Trade helps to prevent violations such as smuggling and fraud, thereby protecting the economy and maintaining the integrity of trade systems.

This role is vital, as it encompasses various responsibilities, including developing policies and procedures related to trade regulation, initiating enforcement actions against noncompliance, and collaborating with other governmental and international bodies to promote fair trade practices. The emphasis on compliance ensures that importers and exporters understand their obligations under U.S. law, thereby fostering a robust international trading environment.

Other roles associated with CBP's functions, such as collecting tariffs, processing customs documentation, and overseeing export operations, fall under different sectors of the agency and do not specifically align with the primary mission of the Office of Trade. Each of these functions contributes to the broader goals of CBP but are not the central focus of the Office of Trade itself.