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The Port of Baltimore
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May/June 2014
U.S. population and economy.”
Long before a ship arrives at the berth, CBP has a
very good idea of what and who is on it. This is thanks
to the agency’s robust partnerships with foreign
governments, law enforcement and industry. Advance
reporting of manifests and import data help target
high-risk containers for screening when they arrive.
Once a ship is on terminal, Customs agents have
high-tech tools in their arsenal to screen, scan and
inspect the cargo. “Our layered and risk-based approach
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATHY BERGREN SMITH
provides that, at a minimum, 100 percent of high-risk
containers are examined,” said Diane Bowman, Acting
Port Director for CBP.
Another section of CBP is focused on “hitchhikers.”
CBP agriculture specialists safeguard American
CBP Ag Specialist Tim Morris, top photos, inspected containers at
the Tailgate Inspection Area at the Dundalk Marine Terminal while Ag
Specialist Amanda Furrow checked a shipment of imported wheat for
insects or seeds. Facing page, a Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System
(VACIS) is capable of providing high-res imaging of a container’s contents.
