Mandated by the SAFE Port Act of 2006, the Department of Homeland Security issued a requirement that 100 percent of U.S.-bound ocean containers be scanned at the foreign port of origin. Since then, Congress and DHS have been kicking the can down the road, repeatedly delaying implementation of a rule that industry says is unworkable. The latest move puts off action until 2016.
In a June 2 letter to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, they called for repeal of the mandate, along with a new focus on “practical supply chain security solutions.”
Enough of the postponements, importers say. “We fully support your waiver,” said the industry groups in their letter to Secretary Johnson. “However, instead of going through this exercise every two years, we urge you and the Administration to recommend to the Congress that the statutory 100% container scanning requirement be repealed.”
Despite strong objections from industry, the rule remains on the books for now. Only Congress has the power to repeal it.