[050812.EN.BIZ] BIFA : 100pc Scanning Of US-bound Boxes Will Cause Logistical Gridlock

THE British International Freight Association (BIFA) says the US Department for Homeland Security (DHS) is in a difficult position over implementation of its much-delayed 100-per cent box scanning legislation for US-bound containers.

It noted that the requirement for 100 per cent of US-bound containers to be scanned before reaching the United States still remains a requirement of the law passed by Congress in 2007, although the DHS has extended a two-year blanket exemption to foreign ports because such scanning "would be too costly and cumbersome", BIFA said in its newsletter.

"The DHS is in a difficult position as the law was passed in response to the US 9/11 Commission, and there is a view in US Government that there is a high risk of terrorist action linked to the shipping of containers. With over 700 ports worldwide shipping to any of over 300 sea and river ports in the US the costs and potential for logistical gridlock are obvious.

"There has been much talk of screening as opposed to scanning. Scanning is a physical intervention of every container. Screening is the use of intelligence and software profiling to identify high-risk container for subsequent investigation.

"The DHS seems to be stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place. One hundred per cent scanning would cause a logjam yet the DHS must comply with the law. It will be interesting to see how the conundrum is resolved in the coming two years," said BIFA.

Source : HKSG.