US Air Cargo Security Could Be Improved, Investigators Say

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have taken a number of actions designed to secure inbound air cargo, but these efforts are still largely in the early stages and could be strengthened, according to a new government report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

GAO is the nonpartisan investigative arm of Congress.

"For instance, TSA completed a risk-based strategic plan to address domestic air cargo security, but has not developed a similar strategy for addressing inbound air cargo security, including how best to partner with CBP and international air cargo stakeholders," GAO says. "In addition, while TSA has identified the primary threats to inbound air cargo, it has not yet assessed inbound air cargo vulnerabilities and critical assets. Moreover, TSA’s air cargo security rule incorporated a number of provisions aimed at enhancing the security of inbound air cargo. This final rule also acknowledges that TSA amended its security directives and programs to triple the percentage of cargo inspected on domestic and foreign passenger aircraft."

TSA continues to exempt certain types of inbound air cargo transported on passenger air carriers from inspection, GAO found. Further, TSA inspects domestic and foreign passenger air carriers with service to the United States to assess whether they are complying with air cargo security requirements, but currently does not conduct compliance inspections of all air carriers transporting inbound air cargo, it says. Moreover, TSA has not developed performance goals and measures to determine to what extent air carriers are complying with security requirements.

"In addition, CBP recently began targeting inbound air cargo transported on passenger and all-cargo aircraft that may pose a security risk and inspecting such cargo once it arrives in the United States," GAO says. "TSA and CBP, however, do not have a systematic process in place to share information that could be used to strengthen the department’s efforts in securing inbound air cargo, such as the results of TSA air carrier compliance inspections and foreign airport assessments."

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Enrollment System for Traveler Programs Upgraded

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced it has upgraded its Web-based scheduling tool for registered frequent travelers and has eliminated a previous backlog for membership into the programs. Turnaround time for new applicants using the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) is now less than six weeks, down from up to a year in some high volume locations before GOES was available, the border agency says.

The online application, launched in November 2006, enables a more efficient method of applying for or renewing membership into SENTRI, the southern border frequent traveler program. This tool also streamlines the application process allowing applicants to schedule their interview from their own online account, which will automatically alert users when they have been conditionally approved and prompt them to schedule a final appointment, CBP says.

"Technology is a critical tool to border management, and we will continue to leverage the right technologies to meet the myriad challenges inherent with our mission of keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the country while facilitating legitimate trade and travel," says CBP Commissioner W. Ralph Basham.

The SENTRI program, or Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection, first launched in Southern California in 1995 to provide approved participants expedited processing at certain high-volume crossings. Nationwide, there are more than 100,000 members, with an expected growth of more than 30,000 anticipated during 2007.

In the future, the Global Online Enrollment System will also beavailable to NEXUS and FAST members. Nexus is a joint frequent traveler program with Canada, and FAST, or Free and Secure Trade, is the trade equivalent, and is available on both the northern and southern borders at designated locations. It is anticipated that these programs also will fulfill the secure travel document requirements for land and sea travel under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

There are over 300,000 members in all three programs, according to CBP. For more information, please visit cbp.gov and click the "Travel" tab.

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