The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) joined business and shipping industry groups on a letter to the honorable Jeh Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security, supporting his decision to delay the implementation of the 100% cargo scanning requirement for U.S. bound containers for two years. The letter which can be viewed by clicking here, also encourages Congress to re-evaluate the 100% scanning mandate required under the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006 and explore practical supply chain security solutions.
If implemented the scanning requirement would harm global business by impeding the flow of commerce entering the U.S., says SFIA. “America needs collaboration among our trading partners to effectively screen cargo and the 100 percent scanning requirement is opposed by many of our trading partners. Unless all countries apply the same scanning rules to cargo, the requirement would raise costs on U.S. importers and exporters and create an artificial trade barrier,” said the association.
Customs and Border Patrol has worked with stakeholders to develop a multi-layered approach to supply chain security which has worked and continues to improve. Currently, DHS uses risk analysis to identify high risk packages for additional examination. This strategy ensures that the cargo of highest concern is targeted without slowing down everything else.
“SFIA believes national security is a top priority, but 100% scanning would add minimal value for the disruption in commerce it would cause,” said SFIA Vice President Government Relations and Public Affairs, Bill Sells. “The current multi-layered, risk based supply chain security strategy should continue to be used until a more efficient and globally accepted scanning process is in place,” he added.
