Customs Alert - U.S. & Canada Sign Container Security Initiative
The United States and Canada have reached an agreement designed to further secure each country’s border, while at the same time, improving the flow of trade and people. The Container Security Initiative (CSI) partnership agreement was signed yesterday by U.S. CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner & CBSA President Alain Jolicoeur, further strengthening the commitment to security and trade shared by both countries. Under the agreement, Canada will be sending officers to ports around the world for the purpose of checking containers and identifying threats before such containers can reach their ports. The United States already has similar procedures in place in forty foreign ports worldwide. Such procedures are designed to help prevent terrorists and weapons of mass destruction from entering North America and will allow trade lanes to be kept open in the event of a terrorist attack.
Following September 11, 2001, the United States and Canada reached a Shared Border Accord designed to coordinate efforts between the two countries, increasing the effectiveness of each country’s border security program while facilitating the flow of goods between the two countries. This latest agreement was reached during the 12th meeting under this new Accord which was also the last meeting for Robert C. Bonner under his current post as U.S. CBP Commissioner.
If you would like additional information, please contact: C.J. Erickson, (212) 790-9274 or Carl R. Soller, (212) 790-9231.