CBP Issues Strategic Plan for FY 2006-2011 on the Container Security Initiative

Included in CBP's Strategic Plan are three goals, aspects of which are highlighted as follows (partial list):

Goal 1 - Secure U.S. Borders

CBP's first goal is to secure U.S. borders against terrorists and terrorist weapons by evaluating all containers bound for the U.S. for terrorist risk before lading at CSI ports. Strategies and actions include (partial list):

o To achieve the objective of receiving and making full use of advance trade data, CSI will work to obtain information even earlier in the supply chain than the 24-Hour Rule requires. This includes the possible receipt of the more detailed exporter entry data prior to lading. In addition, CBP will work towards utilizing trade data to identify the real parties of interest and the point of origin of a shipment.

o CBP will also acquire more information through foreign collaboration and enriched trade data.

o The use of electronic seals and the development of container technology that can track and report on the integrity of a shipment will provide supply chain stakeholders with a real time picture of the location and status of shipments and give carriers better control of equipment. These technologies significantly impact domestic and foreign cargo handling and trade facilitation. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/18/06 news, 06101899 1, for BP summary of DHS dropping its proposal to require high-security seals on ocean containers.)

o CBP will develop additional beneficial initiatives for industry and trade to take advantage of the container downtime before loading on a vessel.

Goal 2 - Build a Robust CSI Cargo Security System

CBP's second goal is to build a robust CSI cargo security system that will withstand a terrorist incident and ensure a continuous flow of trade, or promptly resume trade through CSI ports, should a terrorist event occur. Strategies and actions include (partial list):

o To better protect global trade against the threat of global terrorism, CBP will use the core elements of its U.S. cargo security strategy - the 24-Hour Rule, CSI, C-TPAT, advance information requirements and automated, risk-based targeting - to promote an international framework of standards to govern customs-to-customs relationships and customs-to-business relationships. By including harmonized advance manifest data elements, all nations that join such a framework will require and receive the same data on shipments that would, preferably, be submitted electronically.

o CSI supports standardizing technology products, which ultimately would result in cost efficiencies. In addition, CBP will ensure competition for all CSI technology and infrastructure products and services.

o Setting international guidelines, and adopting standards that meet or exceed existing maritime requirements, will help further the security of all world nations and ensure the expeditious movement of cargo worldwide. The logical forum for achieving this objective is through the World Customs Organization (WCO), which represents 169 Customs administrations. In June 2004, the WCO adopted a resolution establishing a high-level group of heads of customs to draft this global framework. In June 2005, the WCO adopted a global Framework of Standards.

o CBP, working through DHS and its component agencies, as well as federal, state and local law enforcement and the public and private sector, is working to further develop and enhance contingency and recovery plans and efforts in the event of an incident of national significance affecting the movement of maritime cargo.

o According to the Maritime Infrastructure Recovery Plan (MIRP), if an incident of national significance occurs resulting from a national transportation security incident, CSI will be a significant factor in post-incident risk assessments to determine priorities for cargo as normal operations are resumed.

Goal 3 - Protect and Facilitate Trade

CBP's third goal is to protect and facilitate the movement of legitimate trade by maintaining effectively operating CSI ports, working with host nations to inspect all containers identified as posing a potential terrorist risk and providing benefits and incentives to international governments and organizations, as well as to U.S. trading partners. Strategies and actions include (partial list):

o CBP is promoting the adoption of a standardized, harmonized security approach that allows nations to have confidence in the security of goods flowing through their ports.

o Regional Automated Targeting System (ATS) weight sets - assigning targeting rules different weights based on the region where a shipment originates - could further enhance the ability of CBP to classify and characterize the threat.

CBP Strategic Plan, List of CSI ports, CSI fact sheet, etc. available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/international_activities/csi/