Security
United States Container Security Initiative (CSI)
Guidelines
General
The Container Security Initiative (CSI) program recognizes that there is a need to deter, prevent, and interdict any terrorist attempt to disrupt global trade or to attempt to make use of commercial shipping to further their terrorist aims. The CSI program also recognizes that the exchange of relevant data and identification of best practices will help safeguard global maritime trade by enhancing cooperation at seaports in the United Kingdom to identify and examine high-risk containers and ensure their in-transit integrity. To facilitate this program, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will station officers at Felixstowe port to enhance cooperation in the sharing of information and to liaise on the pre-screening of containers from Felixstowe and other container ports in the United Kingdom that have regular, direct, and substantial container traffic to ports in the United States.
Ports covered by the Agreement
The UK ports included in this initiative are Felixstowe and on a trial basis, Liverpool, Southampton, Thamesport and Tilbury.
The trial period will proceed as outlined in the Declaration of Principles as signed in London on 9 December 2002, with the intent of making the CSI program a permanent operation as soon as possible. Formal assessments of the CSI program will take place after three and six months of operation to monitor implementation of the program to ensure continued effectiveness and mutual benefit of bilateral Customs cooperation. Either party to this Declaration may terminate it on giving 3 months notice in writing to the other.
Operation of the CSI
Exchange of Information
CBP and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise (HMCE) personnel stationed in Felixstowe will work together to use their already established targeting tools to develop joint criteria for identifying high risk containers destined for the United States.
The criteria developed through the CSI program will be applied to US bound containers either leaving as a direct export from the UK or to containers in transit through the UK, including freight remaining on board (FROB).
CBP computers will be installed in Felixstowe and linked to US databases, including the CBP Automated Targeting System (ATS). The US will meet any costs associated with the installation and maintenance of its computer systems. The CBP computers will not be interfaced directly with any HMCE computer systems; however, both CBP and HMCE will work towards the sharing and exchange of all relevant data that would enhance both parties' ability to successfully target high risk containers. Advance cargo information supplied by carriers to the CBP will be made available to HMCE at Felixstowe, provided that HMCE bears any and all costs associated with the transfer of this data, and that this data exchange is in compliance with US and UK data protection provisions.
HMCE will seek to ensure export manifest data from all UK CSI ports is made available in Felixstowe.
Examination of suspect containers
On a daily basis the CSI team members of both Customs administrations will discuss the specific containers that they have identified as high and medium risk per their respective risk analysis systems. Containers agreed as being high risk by both teams will be examined by HMCE. This examination will normally be by means of x-ray. If the x-ray is positive or inconclusive, a manual examination will then be conducted. CBP personnel will observe, but not participate in, all CSI examinations.
CSI seals will be provided by CBP personnel and will be affixed by HMCE personnel to all containers examined under the CSI program.
Port Operations
Any costs associated with the movement, examination, unpacking or reloading of a suspect container will be met under the existing arrangements for UK Customs inspections of export cargo at ports.
It is envisioned that the CSI program will enhance security while facilitating trade. HMCE and CBP will work with the shipping community to implement the CSI in the UK and will have meetings, as necessary, with carriers, port operators, exporters and other trade organizations.
HMCE will work with port operators to ensure that port contingency plans are adequate to deal with any weapons or explosives (including chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons) that are found during a CSI inspection.
Powers of US officers in the UK
CBP personnel stationed at UK ports will have no legal powers or authority within the United Kingdom. CBP personnel will work under the authority of the Ambassador of the United States in the United Kingdom, in accordance with guidelines set down by HMCE. US personnel will not carry firearms or other prohibited items while in the UK and will not wear uniforms.
On arrival in the US
Containers prescreened at CSI ports will normally not be inspected again for security purposes once unloaded in the United States. However, CBP reserves the right to re-examine containers; particularly if additional information is received that would indicate a high risk for terrorist weapons and materials, or if the container shows signs of having been tampered with en-route to the United States.
Liaison within the UK
Both HMCE and CBP Headquarters personnel will monitor the operation of the CSI program within the UK. As mentioned above, 3 month and 6 month reviews of the pilot will be conducted jointly and a joint report will be produced.
If there are any questions or problems over the CSI program, these should be addressed, in the first instance, to HMCE at Felixstowe.
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