These programs all have the same goal: to improve the security of global supply chains while at the same time improving the flow of legitimate commerce into the United States.

Marine Transportation Security Act
In November 2002, Congress passed the Marine Transportation Security Act, which aims to improve security at seaports. Congress had written this legislation three years ago, before 9/11, at the request of the Interagency Commission on Crime and Security in U.S. seaports.

That committee, co-chaired at the time by the former Customs (now CBP) Commissioner Robert Bonner along with the leadership of the Border Patrol, the Coast Guard, Maritime Administration, and other agencies with a piece of the international shipping pie, had issued 20 recommendations for tightening port security. Following the attacks of 9/11, Congress added new provisions aimed especially at terrorism.

Today, CBP is working with the Department of Transportation to facilitate advance electronic transmission of cargo information. This kind of collaboration among federal agencies translates into an ability to address much more efficiently and effectively the seaport-security needs of key federal seaport stakeholders. It also allows CBP and its partner agencies in Homeland Security to balance anti-terrorism enforcement with the trade facilitation missions of our respective organizations.