CBP Issues Fact Sheet on CBP's FY 2007 Progress, Challenges in Securing U.S. Borders
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a fact sheet entitled, "Securing America's Borders, CBP 2007 Fiscal Year in Review," which provides details on the progress CBP made securing U.S. borders in FY 2007 and the challenges it faced. The following are highlights from the fact sheet:
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C-TPAT enhancements, validations. CBP enhanced the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program through the establishment of minimum-security criteria for brokers, rail carriers, terminal operators, Mexican highway carriers, Mexican Long Haul Carriers, and U.S. and foreign port terminal operators.
(Note that since CBP issued its fact sheet, CBP has issued new C-TPAT minimum-security criteria for air carriers. See ITT's Online Archives or 11/15/07 news, 07111505, for BP summary.)
In addition to adding 41 supply chain security specialists, the program completed 1,812 validations and 368 re-validations, which involved 2,819 site visits in 83 foreign countries. (See ITT's Online Archives or 11/27/07 news, 07112705, for updated CBP statistics on C-TPAT validations which were presented at the November 16, 2007 COAC meeting.)
31 million entries, $33 billion in revenue. CBP processing of commercial imports exceeded 31.4 million entries and value surpassed $2 trillion in value. The agency collected $33 billion in revenue.
1.57 million agricultural interceptions made. In FY 2007, agriculture specialists made 1.57 million agricultural interceptions (meats & plants that are prohibited entry into the U.S.). Through inspection of commodities and seized products, agriculture specialists found nearly 60,000 actionable or reportable plant pest interceptions.
NARP launched. In 2007, CBP launched the National Agriculture Release Program, an automated program that allows the inspection of high-volume, very-low risk commodities to be expedited. NARP ultimately will allow CBP to divert valuable resources to other high-risk agricultural commodities, which facilitates trade and enhances customer service. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/10/07 news, 07011005, for BP summary of CBP's announcement of NARP.)
CSI expanded to 58 ports. As part of CBP's efforts to secure U.S. ports of entry, CBP expanded the Container Security Initiative, increasing participating ports to 58 in FY 2007. CSI now covers 86% of U.S.-bound maritime containers. In addition, CBP launched the Secure Freight Initiative (SFI) to help safeguard global maritime cargo.
NTC - Cargo established. CBP established the National Targeting Center - Cargo to target high-risk cargo shipments and to support the targeting efforts of the CSI, SFI, and the Food and Drug Administration.
142 RPMs deployed. By the end of FY 2007, CBP deployed 142 new radiation portal monitors throughout the U.S.' ports of entry, bringing the number of RPMs to 1,023 at U.S. land and sea ports of entry.
ACE e-Manifest: Truck deployment at land border ports. CBP deployed the Automated Commercial Environment electronic truck manifest (e-Manifest: Truck) system to 98 of 99 land border ports and is processing nearly 30,000 trucks a day. 42% of duties and fees are currently collected via ACE, and there are more than 11,000 ACE portal accounts.
(Note that since CBP issued its fact sheet, it has completed the deployment of ACE e-Manifest: Truck system at the 99th port of entry - Piegan, Montana. See ITT's Online Archives or 11/16/07 news, 07111640 1, for BP summary.)
IPR & textile seizures, other trade enforcement actions. Commercial trade enforcement actions continued to take center stage. In FY 2007, more than 17,000 trade enforcement seizures valued at $359 million were initiated, including more than 13,600 seizures of goods infringing intellectual property rights (IPR) with a domestic value totaling more than $196 million.
Other seizures included textiles and wearing apparel violating quota/visa requirements ($49 million), and seizures for violations of other federal agency laws covering cigarettes, diamonds, game animals and birds, and motorcycles and automobiles. CBP also initiated 449 commercial fraud penalties totaling nearly $220 million.
WHTI rulemakings. CBP made strides in implementing a key 9/11 Commission recommendation and Congressional mandate when the proposed rule for implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative at land and sea ports of entry was published in June 2007.
CBP is moving towards a January 31, 2008 transition phase that will require proof of citizenship for all those seeking to enter the U.S. at land and sea ports of entry. Full implementation requiring a passport or other WHTI-compliant document is expected for summer 2008.
CBP fact sheet (dated 11/06/07) available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/highlights/2007_year_review.ctt/2007_year_review.pdf