Screening Measures Enhanced for Cargo Arriving at U.S. Sea Ports

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has begun enforcement of the Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements interim final rule. Enforcement of the rule significantly increases the scope and accuracy of information gathered on shipments of cargo arriving by sea and bolstering the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) layered enforcement strategy to protect against terrorism and other crimes at U.S. ports of entry.

"Effective homeland security requires strengthening our capabilities to detect and deter potential acts of terrorism at our land, air and sea ports," said DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. "Collecting detailed information about cargo shipped to the United States before it arrives will enhance the effectiveness of our screening operations at sea ports around the nation."

CBP began graduated enforcement of the rule—which requires importers to provide specific information on their cargo prior to arrival in the United States—this week, following a one-year informed compliance period.

The Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements are commonly known as "10+2" in reference to the data required under the rule. They are a result of the SAFE Port Act of 2006, which mandated the development of a regulation to require additional data prior to a vessel's arrival at a U.S. port of entry.

Read more at CBP.