Automated Targeting System is Cornerstone for All CBP Analysis and Targeting of Cargo

(ATS is an intranet-based enforcement and decision support tool that DHS says is the cornerstone for all U.S. Customs and Border Protection targeting efforts.)

This summary explains the ATS system, largely as it relates to cargo, and briefly summarizes one of the recent notices pertaining to it.

ATS Compares Cargo, Conveyances, Etc. Against Intelligence Data

CBP uses ATS to improve the collection, use, analysis, and dissemination of information that is gathered to target, identify, and prevent potential terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the U.S. and to identify other violations of U.S. laws that are enforced by CBP.

ATS compares traveler, cargo, and conveyance information against intelligence and other enforcement data by incorporating risk-based targeting scenarios and assessments that are subject to a real-time, rule-based evaluation. In this way, ATS allows CBP to focus its efforts on travelers, conveyances, and cargo shipments that most warrant greater scrutiny.

Cargo shipments are "scored." CBP states that the ATS components pertaining to cargo rely on rule-based "scoring" to identify cargo shipments of interest.

Standardized data elements. ATS standardizes names, addresses, conveyance names, and similar data so these data elements can be more easily associated with other business and personal data to form a more complete picture of an import or export in context with previous behavior of the parties involved.

ATS Consists of Six Modules That Support CBP Inspection and Enforcement

CBP notes that ATS consists of six modules that provide selectivity and targeting capability to support CBP inspection and enforcement activities.

ATS-Inbound (cargo). ATS-Inbound is the primary decision support tool for inbound targeting of cargo and it also assists CBP personnel in the Container Security Initiative (CSI) and Secure Freight Initiative (SFI). It provides CBP with a consistent method for targeting and selecting high-risk inbound cargo for intensive examinations for screening and is available at all major ports (air, land, sea, rail). ATS-Inbound processes data pertaining to entries and manifests against a variety of rules to make a rapid automated assessment of the risk of each import. Entry and manifest data is received from the Automated Manifest System (AMS), Automated Broker Interface (ABI), the Automated Commercial System (ACS) and, its successor system, the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).

ATS-Outbound (cargo). ATS-Outbound is the outbound targeting module that assists in identifying exports which pose a high risk of containing goods requiring specific export licenses, narcotics, or other contraband or exports that may otherwise be in violation of U.S. law. It uses Shippers' Export Declaration (SED) data that exporters file electronically with CBP's Automated Export System (AES) in order to target outbound cargo.

ATS-International. ATS-International is being developed to provide foreign customs authorities with controlled access to automated cargo targeting capabilities and provide a systematic medium for exchanging best practices and developing and testing targeting concepts.

ATS-Trend Analysis and Analytical Selectivity. The trend analysis function summarizes historical statistics that provide an overview of trade activity for commodities, importers, manufacturers, shippers, nations, and filers to assist in identifying anomalous trade activity in aggregate.

ATS-Passenger. ATS-Passenger is the module used at all U.S. airports and seaports receiving international flights and voyages to evaluate passengers and crewmembers prior to arrival or departure.

ATS-Land. ATS-Land provides for the analysis and rule-based risk assessment of private passenger vehicles crossing U.S. borders.

ATS Subject to Privacy Act, Data to be Stored For 15 Years (Instead of 40)

DHS issued a System of Records Notice (SORN) on August 6, 2007 which designated ATS as a separate system of records subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (Privacy Act), in an effort to provide more detailed information to the traveling and trade community and give greater visibility into targeting and screening efforts.

Among other things, the SORN, reduced the general retention period for data maintained in ATS from 40 to 15 years. However, certain data that becomes associated with active law enforcement activities, and/or investigations or cases will remain accessible for the life of the law enforcement matter.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 03/20/07 news, 07032015, for BP summary of CBP's quarterly report to congress on the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) including integration of ACE Screening and Targeting capabilities with the ATS.

See ITT's Online Archives or 01/16/07 news, 07011615, for BP summary of CBP's Dec. 2006/Jan. 2007 Modernization Monitor newsletter discussing the modernized ATS targeting framework.)

DHS notice of Privacy Act system of records (D/N DHS-20007-0042, FR Pub 08/06/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-15197.pdf

DHS proposed ruleto exempt certain ATS records from Privacy Act(D/N 2007-0043, FR Pub 08/06/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-15198.pdf

DHS Privacy Impact Assessment for the ATS (dated 08/03/07) available at http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/privacy/privacy_pia_cbp_ats_updated_fr.pdf