U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced 33 tentative selections for new reimbursable services agreements, aiming to enhance cross-border trade and facilitate essential travel into the United States.
The Reimbursable Services Program enables private sector entities as well as state and local governments to reimburse CBP for additional inspection services that would not otherwise be available. These services can include customs, agricultural processing, border security, immigration inspections, and support at ports of entry. The program allows for expanded service offerings at remote locations or outside regular port hours.
Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner Diane Sabatino stated, "The announcement represents a significant advancement in expanding critical services which promote cross-border trade and lawful travel to the United States. These partnerships represent a 'win-win' option; they not only help CBP to carry out its national security mission, but they also help private and public entities to develop new opportunities to expedite the legitimate flow of people and goods, which are vital to the U.S. economy."
The newly selected partnerships will cover a broad range of states including Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania; as well as Puerto Rico; Rhode Island; Tennessee; Texas; Virginia; US Virgin Islands; Washington; Wisconsin.
Since its inception in 2013 under Section 481 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002—which authorizes these agreements—CBP has expanded the program to include over 600 stakeholders. This expansion has resulted in more than 1.65 million additional processing hours requested by partners and facilitated processing for over 21 million travelers along with millions of vehicles.
At airports serviced by CBP with more than 100 thousand international passengers annually reimbursable services are limited mainly to overtime costs and support functions. Airports with fewer than this threshold may offset salaries for up to five full-time equivalent officers through these agreements. Existing CBP services will not be replaced by these arrangements.
CBP officials noted that proposals were evaluated through a rigorous process designed to ensure alignment with agency priorities. The reimbursable authority forms part of CBP’s broader Resource Optimization Strategy intended to provide new or enhanced services at domestic ports on a reimbursed basis from partner organizations.
CBP describes itself as America’s largest law enforcement organization focused on facilitating safe travel and trade while protecting national security interests across land borders as well as air and sea environments.
