US tightens security for inbound international shipments
The United States has tightened security measures for inbound international cargo in the wake of the terrorist plot uncovered at the end of October.
The Department of Homeland Security issued fresh guidelines yesterday on measures that include the ban on all shipments from Yemen being extended to cover items from Somalia.
“High risk” cargo will no longer be allowed on passenger aircraft flying into the US, while printer ink cartridges above 16 ounces in weight are also banned from passenger flights, after a cartridge containing explosive material was found in a UPS shipment last month.
This ban will also apply to certain international inbound cargo flights as well, said Janet Napolitano, US Secretary of Homeland Security.
Ms Napolitano confirmed that the security measures would impact on inbound international mail packages, which will now have to be screened individually and certified as having come from an established postal shipper.
Industry carriers were ordered by the Transportation Security Administration late last week to start putting the “precautionary” security measures in place. Ms Napolitano spoke to companies including UPS, DHL, FedEx and TNT last week to coordinate the process.
The security forces are aiming to put in place “layered” detection systems using a variety of technologies and screening procedures.
Secretary Napolitano said: “The threats of terrorism we face are serious and evolving, and these security measures reflect our commitment to using current intelligence to stay ahead of adversaries—working closely with our international, federal, state, local and private sector partners every step of the way.”
TSA Administrator John S Pistole and a team of TSA inspectors visited Yemen last week to help authorities there put in place better security procedures, which the US said would be necessary before lifting its ban on shipments.
A number of countries including Canada, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and the UK have also put in place restrictions on shipping items from Yemen following the events a week and a half ago. Suspicious packages were uncovered in UPS and FedEx shipments en route to the US, which were linked to Al Qaeda-affiliated groups.
