Chicago – U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Chicago Field Office conducted its annual State of the Port Meeting this afternoon addressing the trade community. The State of the Port meeting is hosted by CBP Office of Field Operations serving the trade community in the Chicago land area. This provides Customs brokers, freight forwarders, importers and others involved with international trade and opportunity to hear about new CBP regulations, programs, initiatives and technology. Interested parties involved in international trade also have a chance to ask questions and address challenges they face while complying with trade law. CBP has made securing and expediting the flow of goods one of its priority missions this year. Including expediting and simplifying the collection of data, improve communication, consultations and collaboration with the private sector business community. “The State of the Port meeting provides CBP the opportunity to reinforce, reengage and strengthen our relationship with our trade partners,” said David Murphy, CBP Director of Field Operations in Chicago. “It is our goal to continue to work with the trade community to maintain America’s economic competitiveness, facilitate growth while maintaining our enforcement missions.” This year members from CBP’s trade supervisors, entry specialists, passenger processing and Fines, Penalties and Forfeitures were presents to engage in open discussion addressing concerns, answering questions and fostering relationships with those in the trade community we serve. All facets of CBP processing can be found within the Port of Chicago, with the exception of a land border operation. From processing millions of international travelers at airports; to processing tons of imported air, rail and sea shipments; these integral CBP operations make the Port of Chicago the busiest inland port in the country. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws. | |