Cargo screening program expanded

The United States aims to expand screening of shipping containers for weapons of mass destruction and other contraband before the cargo is allowed into the United States, the head of the Customs and Border Protection bureau announced Wednesday.

Customs Commissioner Robert Bonner said his agency plans to expand the Container Security Initiative beyond the 25 international seaports now participating to cover more than 80 percent of U.S.-bound freight.

"The 25 ports represent the world's major seaports, but we are not stopping there. We plan to expand the CSI network even farther," Bonner said.

Expansion will cover strategic ports that are able to participate and make significant numbers of shipments to the United States, Bonner said.

Under the initiative, U.S. customs agents placed in foreign ports examine shipping containers bound for the United States and identify those that pose a potential terrorist risk. Customs officers use large-scale gamma ray and X-ray imaging systems to screen for contraband. Inspectors also use radiation detection devices to scan for radioactive materials. If necessary, containers are opened and unloaded by the host government's customs service for a manual inspection, which is observed by CSI officials.

The inspection effort was proposed by Bonner and launched in January 2002, according to the agency.