CBP announces $46 million rail refresh
(Press Release) WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) unveiled a $46 million dollar initiative today to enhance the security and efficiency of rail cargo inspections at locations throughout the United States.
Under the initiative, CBP will replace aging rail scanning systems at twelve rail ports of entry on the U.S. southern and northern land borders with high energy rail scanners. The new scanners use linear accelerators to generate X-rays from electricity rather than radioactive isotopes, producing high-quality images that support faster and more secure cargo inspections.
“Non-intrusive inspection technology is a force multiplier that allows CBP officers to safely and more efficiently process U.S.-bound cargo,” said William A. Ferrara, Executive Assistant Commissioner of the CBP Office of Field Operations. “The high-quality images produced by the new rail cargo scanners will enhance CBP’s efforts to interdict stowaways, deadly narcotics, and other contraband while facilitating the flow of lawful trade.”
CBP will install the new scanning equipment at the following locations, which process approximately 60 percent of the rail cargo imported into the United States:
- Blaine, Washington
- Brownsville, Texas
- Buffalo, New York
- Calexico, California
- Eagle Pass, Texas
- Eastport, Idaho
- El Paso, Texas (BNSF Railway)
- El Paso, Texas (Union Pacific Railroad)
- International Falls/Ranier, Minnesota
- Nogales, Arizona
- Portal, North Dakota
- Rouses Point, New York
The installation and testing of the new scanners are expected to begin in fall 2021 and will increase the efficiency of commercial rail inspections.
CBP employs strict safety measures to protect the health and safety of local communities and the agency workforce at all times. The new scanners will generate X-rays only when trains are present. CBP will install shield walls, fencing, and signage at project sites in compliance with the safety and performance requirements specific to each location.
Non-intrusive inspection technology is an essential component of CBP’s border security strategy. The images produced by non-intrusive inspection technology enable CBP personnel to discern anomalies in the density of objects within the scanned container or vehicle. In Fiscal Year 2020, CBP’s 6.4 million non-intrusive inspections at U.S. ports of entry interdicted 470,000 pounds of illicit narcotics and $11.54 million in undeclared currency.
In addition to its security benefits, non-intrusive inspection technology creates efficiencies for CBP and the broader trade community. Non-intrusive inspection technology generates up to $17.5 billion in economic benefits for the trade community and up to $1 billion in government cost savings every year.
CBP employs a multi-layered security process to protect the American and our economy from dangerous goods and people. As part of those efforts, CBP processed approximately three million rail containers in Fiscal Year 2020. Visit CBP.gov to learn more about CBP’s cargo security mission.
