NCBFFA is a national trade association that has more than 800 members, including licensed customs brokers, international freight forwarders, international air cargo agents and Ocean Transportation Intermediaries located throughout the United States.

In his remarks, Deputy Commissioner Ahern emphasized CBP’s broad and complex mission, which includes key trade initiatives, such as 10+2, the Automated Commercial Environment, and 100% scanning. He also praised CBP’s partnership with the NCBFAA: “This is the kind of partnership that truly gets things done,” he said, “because in the long run, this is not about me or you…or about CBP or NCBFAA. It is about doing what’s right for our country and for the economy.”

Since 9-11, CBP has worked to build a multi-layered approach to protecting the maritime global supply chain. Deputy Commissioner Ahern said the process begins with advanced information, including critical data that is supplied to CBP by the trade. This advance information is vitally important to protecting the supply chain from potential terrorist attacks. He also stressed the need for improvements to infrastructure at our ports of entry.

Deputy Commissioner Ahern assured the members of NCBFAA of CBP’s commitment to continuity of operations during the upcoming change of Administrations. CBP will continue its collaborative work with the trade community during the transition period - and beyond - to ensure supply chain security and the free flow of trade that is vital to our nation’s economy.