U.S. and EU Sign Agreement to Improve Container Security and Expand CSI
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a press release announcing that on April 22, 2004, the U.S. and the European Union (EU) signed an agreement to improve container security and expand CBP's Container Security Initiative (CSI) throughout the EU.
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U.S.-EU Agreement Aims to Improve Cargo Security on a Reciprocal Basis
According to CBP, the objectives of the U.S.-EU agreement include: (a) expanding CSI; (b) establishing minimum standards for risk-management techniques; and (c) improving public-private partnerships to secure the logistics chain of international trade.
EU sources report that this agreement aims to improve cargo security on a reciprocal basis for both the EU and the U.S. while ensuring equal treatment of U.S. and EU ports and operators.
For example, the new agreement will provide for the exchange of relevant information and best practices and the establishment of common standards of risk assessment, inspection, and screening methods.
The U.S.-EU agreement also covers the security of cargo containers from all locations that are imported into, transshipped through, or transit the EU and the U.S. and establishes a working group that will elaborate the necessary operational elements of the expanded cooperation. According to EU sources, the first meeting of customs experts from the U.S. and EU is scheduled for early May 2004.
CBP press release (dated 04/22/04) available athttp://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/press_releases/04222004.xml.
EU press release (IP/04/525, dated 04/22/04) available at
www.europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/04/5250RAPID&lg=EN.
BP Note
On December 19, 2002 the EU launched infringement procedures against those members states that had signed CSI declarations of principle with CBP, over concerns about the negative effects such agreements would have on trade flows, and that the measures would lead to competition between EU ports. In early 2003, the EU requested a mandate to negotiate with the U.S. for the establishment of mutually acceptable customs controls of goods, particularly goods transported by containers, in order to address the threat of terrorist attacks.
The U.S. and EU initialed an agreement to improve the security of transatlantic maritime transport of containers on November 18, 2003. That agreement, which was formally signed on April 22, 2004, represents an expansion of the existing 1997 agreement between the U.S. and EU on customs cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters (CMAA). According to EU sources, while the 1997 agreement focused on classical customs cooperation, this expanded agreement also covers cooperation in securing the logistical chain in international trade. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/04/03 news, 03120405, for previous BP summary on the U.S.-EU agreement.)