Security Panel Urges Repeal of Cargo Scanning Rule

The Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection on Thursday called for repeal of laws requiring 100 percent scanning of ocean cargo and 100 percent screening of air cargo.

The bipartisan group made up of representatives of the trade and transportation community said the Department of Homeland Security should shift its supply chain security focus to place more emphasis on air and land transportation security and ensure that minimum security criteria for the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism and similar programs adapt to changing threats in the supply chain.

The recommendations were included in comments to the DHS policy branch, which is drafting a new national strategy for global supply chain security.

Earl Agron, director of security for APL, and head of the COAC committee that drafted the report said that the 100 percent requirements that Congress laid down in 2007 “should be reevaluated in favor of risk-based measures that target high-risk shipments.

“The 100 percent question is a perpetual splinter in our finger, a royal pain, especially when we are in front of our global trading partners or any other international forum,” Agron said. One hundred percent scanning of U.S. bound containers at foreign ports has drawn widespread opposition among foreign governments.

DHS should reevaluate projects that are investigating high-tech security seals and six-sided security technology to protect ocean containers, Agron said.

-- Contact R.G. Edmonson at bedmonson@joc.com.