logistics
...rcial Environment (ACE) has made electronic risk management far more effective. The ACE Secure Data Portal provides a single, centralized on-line access point to connect CBP and the trade community. CBP’s modernization efforts enhance border security while optimizing the increasing flow of legitimate trade. The most significant accomplishments of CBP that did not exist until the past few years are the National Targeting Center (NTC), Container Security Initiative, C-TPAT, 24-Hour Ruling, as well as programs such as NEXUS and FAST. The Administration developed and implemented a strategy to identify, target, and inspect cargo containers before they reach U.S. ports. None of these security measures implemented as a result of this strategy existed before 9/11. All of these security measures main mission is to rule out potential threats before arrival at borders and ports. Under the strategy, all containers identified as posing a terrorist risk are inspected using x-ray scans and radiation detection equipment. Under the 24-Hour Rule, ocean carriers are required to give information 24-hours in advance of lading at the foreign port, for cargo being shipped to U.S. Containers are identified and targeted before they arrive at U.S. seaports by the National Targeting Center. The NTC was established in an effort to control terrorism. Prior to 9/11, no national level targeting of people or goods crossing our borders existed. NTC uses terrorist indicators to review information for all cargo, passengers, and imported food shipments before they arrive to U.S. The Container Security Initiative was launched on January 2002 in order to prevent global containerized cargo from being exploited by terrorists. The initiative is designed to enhance the security of the sea cargo container. Providing that nearly 50% of the value of all U.S. imports arrive via sea containers, this is a vital link to global trade. CSI is responsible for pre-screening cargo containers before they are shipped to America. The Administration created a public-private and international partnership with a substantial amount of businesses, including most of the U.S. largest importers called the Customs Trade Partnership against Terrorism. C-TPAT is a joint , government-business initiative to develop and sustain a secure supply chain while maintaining a high level of trade compliance that provides reliable cargo release targeting data. Under this program, companies that do business with U.S. have increased their own security to prevent terrorists from infiltrating their shipments. Approximately 40% of all cargo headed for the U.S. is transported by C-TPAT partners making it secure. Also CBP has added additional technology such as Radiation Portal Monitors, Isotope Identifiers, and Personal Radiation Monitors along with chemical/explosive detector dogs. In addition to increasing technology, programs such as NEXUS and FAST have also been important in efforts to improve security across our nation. U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security The Bureau of Industry and Security is charged with the development, implementation, and interpretation of U.S. export control policy for dual-use commodities, software, and technology. The primary mission of BIS is the accurate, consistent, and timely evaluation and processing of licenses for proposed exports and re-exports of goods and technology from the U.S. in order to advance U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economic interests. The objective is to protect US national security, foreign policy, and economic interests without imposing undue regulatory burdens on legitimate international trade. BIS’s activities include regulating the export of sensitive goods and technologies in an effective manner by enforcing export control, anti-boycott, and public safety laws, cooperating with and assisting other countries on export control and strategic trade issues, assisting U.S. industry to comply with international arms control agreements and monitoring the viability of the U.S. defense industrial base as well as seeking to ensure that it is capable of satisfying US national and homeland security needs. BIS is the primary licensing agency for dual use exports. Export Administration Regulation (EAR) contains important information exports need to know on how to comply with US export control requirements on commercial goods, steps to take to determine the export licensing requirements for a specific item, how to determine an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN), when to export or re-export without applying for a license, export clearence procedures and record keeping requirements, as well as important Export Management System concepts. The Export Management System is a program that helps to ensure that each export/re-export is treated consistently and in complience with US export laws and regulations. It is designed to reduce the risk of illegal exporting. As companies implement this type of system, it will help ensure compliance with the Export Administration Regulation and other US export regulations to prevent inadvertent shipments to unauthorized end-uses, end-users, and other destinations. The Bureau of Industry and Security is responsible for implementing and enforcing the EAR, which regulate the export and re-export of most commercial items. The items that the BIS regulates are referred to as “dual-use” items that have both commercial and military or proliferation applications. BIS has responded to the changing world events by focusing much of its attention on items and services that could be used to develop or deliver weapons of mass destruction. The terrorist attacks of 9/11 emphasize the importance of controls on the export of dual-use items; controls that are maintained to combat terrorism, stem the proliferation of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, and protect US national security and foreign policy interests. Under the Export Administration Regulations, items that might not otherwise require a license based upon a review of the Commerce Control List and country requirements, could require a license from BIS because of the nature of the end-use/user. The Enhanced Proliferation Control Initiative was issued in 1991 and placed greater emphasis on the end-use or end-user of exported items. As a result, exporters need to be more vigilant in screening their customers and export transactions. In response to requests from the business community, BIS published the Export Management System Guidelines to assist companies in establishing internal control procedures for the screening of export/re-export transactions. The key is to tailor the best practices to a company’s specific operations and activities. It is crucial for the success of companies as well as individuals to get information on export licensing process before exporting. Federal Aviation Administration In order for aviation industry to reach its full commercial potential, leaders of the industry believed that Federal action had to be taken to improve and maintain safety standards. The Air Commerce Act of May 20,1926, was the cornerstone of the Federal government’s regulation of civil aviation. The Act charged the Secretary of Commerce with fostering air commerce, issuing and enforcing air traffic rules, licensing pilots, certificating aircraft, establishing airways, and operating air navigation. By 1938, responsibilities were transferred to Civil Aeronautics Authority. The legislation also expanded the government’s role by giving the CAA the power to regulate airline fares and to determine the routes that air carriers would serve. Later on, the introduction of jet airliners, and series of midair collisions, led to the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. This legislation transferred CAA’s functions to Federal Aviation Agency which later became to be known as Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA also had the responsibility for developing and maintaining a common civil military system of air navigation and air traffic control. FAA addressed a wide variety of technical issues as the rapid evolution of aeronautics continued. The Aviation Safety Research Act of 1988 mandated greater emphasis on long-range research planning and on study of such issues as aging aircraft structures and human factors affecting safety. In February 1991, FAA replaced the National Airspace System Plan with the more comprehensive Capital Investment Plan (CIP). The new plan included higher levels of automation as well as new radar, communications, and weather forecasting systems. As the modernization program evolved, problems in developing ambitious automation systems prompted a change in strategy. FAA shifted its emphasis toward enhancing the air traffic control system through more manageable, step-by-step improvements. At the same time, the agency worked to speed the application of the Global Positioning System satellite technology to civil aeronautics. Other notable programs included Free Flight, an innovative concept aimed at providing greater flexibility to fly direct routes. At the opening of the 21st Century, Free Flight's initial phase was begi...