The Container Security Initiative (CSI) is an initiative developed by U.S. Customs, now U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in the aftermath of Sept. 11 attacks. Its primary purpose is to protect the global trading system and the trade lanes between CSI ports and the United States. The following Q/A is provided by CBP to help explain the program.

What are CSI’s core elements?

      CSI is founded on four core elements: 1) using intelligence and automated information to identify and target containers that pose a risk for terrorism; 2) pre-screening those containers that pose a risk at the port of departure before they arrive at U.S. ports; 3) using detection technology to quickly pre-screen containers that pose a risk; and 4) using smarter, tamper-evident containers. 

      Why is containerized shipping a critical component of global trade?

      About 90 percent of all world cargo moves by container.  Almost half of incoming trade (by value) arrives in the United States by sea containers. Nearly 9 million cargo containers arrive and are offloaded at U.S. seaports each year.

How does CSI work?

      A small number of CBP officers are deployed to work with host nation counterparts to target all containers that pose a potential threat for terrorism. Its purpose is to protect containerized shipping from exploitation by terrorists.

What benefits are there for foreign ports that sign up?

            This initiative provides a significant measure of security for the participating port as well as the United States. CSI will also provide better security for the global trading system as a whole. If terrorists were to carry out an attack on a seaport using a cargo container, the maritime trading system

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