Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the government agency responsible for regulating all international trade and travel at all ports of entry into the USA. Its primary focus is to protect national borders from the illegal entry of people or goods while simultaneously facilitating lawful travel and trade.

CBP reviews all import paperwork pertaining to international shipments, conducts cargo inspections, and collects relevant import duties when necessary. CBP is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security, and it is crucial to follow all CBP regulations when transporting cargo into the USA to ensure fast and efficient customs clearance.

To effectively regulate what enters the USA, CBP will also work in partnership with other government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and others.

Virtually all shipments entering the USA must go through CBP. The time it takes for a shipment to obtain customs clearance depends on factors such as the type of goods being shipped, the shipment value, and the transportation mode. Trusted trader programs, such as the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT), can help speed up the customs clearance process when participants comply with security and compliance criteria.