see also: in April 2004:   European Community and Department of Homeland Security Sign Landmark Agreement to Improve Container Security and Expand CSI   Fast Dedicated Lane Opens at Champlain, NY   CBP Border Patrol Agents Disable Drug Smuggling Operation   Commissioner Bonner Dedicates Fast Lane In Laredo   U.S. Customs And Border Protection Officers Arrest Wanted Fugitive Stolen Car And Weapons Cache Seized In Blaine   Advance Electronic Transmission Of Inbound Rail Cargo Data ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Department of Commerce today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide certain export validation information to the Mexican government for purposes of mutual border protection, export control, and the detection and deterrence of revenue fraud.

The United States and Mexico share a common land border that sees cross-border trade worth nearly $250 billion every year. Under the U.S./Mexico Smart Border Accord signed by President Bush and Mexican President Fox in 2002, CBP and the Mexico Customs General Administration (CGA) agreed to pursue measures to enhance the national security interests of each country, while not interfering with legitimate trade.

"Revenue fraud, the security of commerce moving along our southern border with Mexico, and the security of the transportation networks between the two countries are issues of concern to both the governments of Mexico and the United States," said U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert C. Bonner. "I am convinced that one of the most effective tools to prevent fraud and the movement of contraband south of the border is the mutual validation of information."

Federal law limits access to export information by other agencies and departments, except in specific, controlled instances or programs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection formally requested and was granted access to certain export information for the purposes outlined above.

This information will be limited in content and scope, under strict controls, and access to the information within the respective customs authorities will be limited. No company-specific data is involved. The purpose is to investigate anomalies or discrepancies. To validate information on an indicated anomaly, no raw data will be exchanged by Mexico Customs and CBP -- only an indicator that the data matched or did not match what CBP has on file. Under the MOU, CBP has authority to work in this manner with Mexico only. No other country is involved in this agreement.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the protection of our nation's borders. CBP unified Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture inspectors and the Border Patrol into one border agency for the United States.