CBP to scrap old land cargo security program

CBP to scrap old land cargo security program    U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Thursday it plans to eliminate the Land Border Carrier Initiative because it has been superseded by the more comprehensive Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism supply chain security program.
   The Land Border Carrier Initiative (LBCI) was established to prevent drugs from being smuggled into the country in commercial trucks and trains. Companies agreed in writing to improve security for terminals and conveyances and to report suspected cross-border smuggling attempts. U.S. Customs provided training for cargo and personnel security, ways to identify suspicious documents, drug awareness and vehicle searches. Participating companies also received consideration for mitigated penalties if drugs were discovered in a shipment.
   C-TPAT builds on the LBCI and the subsequent Business Anti-Smuggling Coalition by providing expedited cargo inspection procedures to importers that volunteer to tighten internal security measures and convince their overseas suppliers and transportation providers to adopt similar best practices that meet the program's minimum standards. C-TPAT covers a broader set of security threats and industry sectors, including ocean carriers, customs brokers, manufacturers, logistics companies, and airlines.
   CBP said in a Federal Register notice that it wanted to devote its resources to developing C-TPAT since the LBCI is not an active program and no new applications have been received for several years. Carriers can remain in the LBCI until the agency publishes a final rule officially terminating the program, it said. They also can apply to join C-TPAT.