Homeland security officials today unveiled proposed new rules designed to improve the way they monitor foreign cargo coming into America's seaports. In its efforts to prevent terrorists from smuggling weapons into ports like Newark, Elizabeth and others around the country, U. S. Customs and Border Protection wants to require importers and shipping companies to submit additional information about their cargo before it leaves foreign ports. Customs already has a system in place that uses basic shipping information, like the name of the importer or type of goods, to target certain cargo containers as high-risk. Those containers go through special inspections and sometimes even get turned away before they reach port. The regulations proposed today would expand the requisite information, including entries on the name of the manufacturer and the location on the ship where the cargo will be stowed. Some companies involved in international trade are concerned that the proposed regulations could affect the flow of commerce. "Right now, we're taking a wait and see approach, but there's always a concern that they may be delays until they get all eth hiccups resolved," said Brenda Jacobs, an attorney for the United State Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel. "In the time-sensitive fashion industry, when you're already talking about a 21-day travel time, every hour matters." Customs is taking comments on the new proposals for 90 days before finalizing the requirements. The security initiative is known as "10 + 2," shorthand for the fact that importers will have to supply 10 pieces of information about cargo, while the shipping companies will have to provide two.
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