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

January 27, 2010 - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has begun enforcement of the Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements interim final rule—significantly increasing the scope and accuracy of information gathered on shipments of cargo arriving by sea into the United States and bolstering 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 Secretary 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 will begin graduated enforcement of the rule—which requires importers to provide specific information on their cargo prior to arrival in the United States—today, following a one-year informed compliance period.

The Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements—commonly known as "10+2" in reference to the data required under the rule—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.

For more information regarding the Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements interim final rule go to www.cbp.gov/isf.