C U S T O M S / S E C U R I T Y

President signs bill for 100 percent cargo scanning

President Bush signed the much debated "100 percent cargo scanning" requirement into law, implementing the additional recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. All containers entering the United States are to be scanned by "non-intrusive imaging and radiation detection equipment at a foreign port before it is loaded on a vessel." The legislation does not require all containers to be scanned for 5 years, until July 1, 2012. Even then, the Secretary of Homeland Security can waive the requirement for two additional years, and continue in two year increments if the scanning technology needed to fulfill the requirements is unavailable. Scanning can also be delayed for reasons "significantly impacting trade capacity and flow of cargo. Similarly the requirement also requires screening of all cargo carried on passenger aircraft within three years, but not physical inspection, as initially proposed. A ports of entry program will also be established to improve security and streamline the arrival process for travelers at the 20 busiest international airports. Trade representatives have spoken out against the bill since it was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives more than six months ago. Now, some exporters fear retaliation from other countries enacting similar regulations for containers leaving the United States. While pre-screening is meant to target only high security risk items, it is likely to contribute to an increase in government inspections. Additionally, shipments must be protected during transit, especially with increased government inspections. With this legislation now in place it is strongly recommended that companies begin the implementation of the C-TPAT program (Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism). The C_TPAT program will provide many advantages in coming years related to preferential security treatment.

CBP Expands Access to Its Modernized Trade Processing System
Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Washington - For the first time ever, nearly every trade entity conducting business with Customs and Border Protection can establish an Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal account due to newly expanded ACE account types. ACE is the commercial trade processing system being developed by CBP to enhance border security and expedite trade. more...

C-TPAT Strengthens Ability to Manage Supply Chain: Survey
Monday, September 10, 2007

Washington - Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) members remain firmly committed to the program, according to the results of a survey conducted by the University of Virginia. Under C-TPAT, members sign an agreement to work with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to protect the supply chain, identify security gaps and implement specific security measures and best practices. more...

Protecting Americans Every Step of the Way:
A Strategic Framework for Continual Improvement in Import Safety
09/14/2007

The Initial report of the Interagency Working Group on Import Safety was submitted to the President September 10.

http://www.importsafety.gov/report/report.pdf

Israel Begins CSI Cargo Security Operations at Port of Ashdod
Monday, September 17, 2007

Washington — U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today that the port of Ashdod in Israel became the 54th operational Container Security Initiative port to target and pre-screen maritime cargo containers destined for U.S. ports. more...

S H I P P I N G  &  W O R L D   T R A D E 

Dock Workers' Strike After Fatal Accident Freezes Loading at Oakland Port
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
AP   OAKLAND, Calif

Workers at the nation's fourth-largest port stayed off the job Tuesday, bringing the loading and unloading of ships to a halt, after a longshoreman was crushed to death by a shipping container, officials said.

The 15-ton container was being locked onto the top of another container on the deck of a cargo ship at the Port of Oakland when it slipped and fell on the worker Monday afternoon, said John Showalter, spokesman for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

The Alameda County coroner's office identified the victim as Reginald Ross, 39, of San Francisco.

The nearly 1,500 members of ILWU Longshore Local 10 did not go to work Tuesday as investigators probed the accident. Workers will return to the job pending the outcome of a safety review under way per the union's contract, Showalter said.

Even if workers return Wednesday, port officials said it would be at least five days before the port could overcome the cargo backlog and return to normal operations.

"Certainly there will be some kind of ripple effect," port spokeswoman Marilyn Sandifur said.

U.S. Seeks W.T.O. Ruling on Product Piracy in China
14 August 2007, CSCB

The United States asked the World Trade Organization to rule in a complaint against China over piracy of copyrighted movies, music, software and books, escalating a dispute that has strained commercial relations. After consultations failed to resolve differences over what the United States argues are weak Chinese laws to safeguard patents and copyrights, the Trade Representative’s office took the formal step of asking the trade organization to decree that China’s laws fall short of international agreements.

Mitropoulos calls for
"new ethical mindset"

SPEAKING in Salvador, Brazil, at the third "Parallel Event" to celebrate World Maritime Day formally and officially outside of IMO's London base, the IMO Secretary-General Efthimios Mitropoulos has made a call for a new ethical mindset if the world is to tackle effectively the current environmental challenges with which it is now faced. more...

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