2022 US Code
Title 6 - Domestic Security
Chapter 3 - Security and Accountability for Every Port
Subchapter II - Security of the International Supply Chain
Part A - General Provisions
Sec. 945 - Container Security Initiative

The Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, shall establish and implement a program (referred to in this section as the "Container Security Initiative" or "CSI") to identify and examine or search maritime containers that pose a security risk before loading such containers in a foreign port for shipment to the United States, either directly or through a foreign port.

The Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, may designate foreign seaports to participate in the Container Security Initiative after the Secretary has assessed the costs, benefits, and other factors associated with such designation, including—

The Secretary shall notify the appropriate congressional committees of the designation of a foreign port under the Container Security Initiative or the revocation of such a designation before notifying the public of such designation or revocation.

The Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of State and in consultation with the United States Trade Representative, may enter into negotiations with the government of each foreign nation in which a seaport is designated under the Container Security Initiative to ensure full compliance with the requirements under the Container Security Initiative.

The authority of the Secretary under this section shall not affect any authority or duplicate any efforts or responsibilities of the Federal Government with respect to the deployment of radiation detection equipment outside of the United States.

The Secretary shall—

The Secretary shall develop a human capital management plan to determine adequate staffing levels in the United States and in foreign seaports including, as appropriate, the remote location of personnel in countries in which foreign seaports are designated under the Container Security Initiative.

The Secretary, in coordination with the appropriate Federal officials, shall hold annual discussions with foreign governments of countries in which foreign seaports designated under the Container Security Initiative are located regarding best practices, technical assistance, training needs, and technological developments that will assist in ensuring the efficient and secure movement of international cargo.

The Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, may treat cargo loaded in a foreign seaport designated under the Container Security Initiative as presenting a lesser risk than similar cargo loaded in a foreign seaport that is not designated under the Container Security Initiative, for the purpose of clearing such cargo into the United States.

Not later than 270 days after October 5, 2018, the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, shall, in consultation with other appropriate government officials and the Commercial Operations Advisory Committee, submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees on the effectiveness of, and the need for any improvements to, the Container Security Initiative. The report shall include—

There are authorized to be appropriated to the United States Customs and Border Protection to carry out the provisions of this section—

(Pub. L. 109–347, title II, §205, Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1906; Pub. L. 115–254, div. J, §1812, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3539.)

2018—Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 115–254 struck out par. (1) designation and heading, substituted "Not later than 270 days after October 5, 2018," for "Not later than September 30, 2007," in introductory provisions, redesignated subpars. (A) to (H) of former par. (1) as pars. (1) to (8), respectively, and struck out former par. (2). Prior to amendment, text of par. (2) read as follows: "Not later than September 30, 2010, the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, shall, in consultation with other appropriate government officials and the Commercial Operations Advisory Committee, submit an updated report to the appropriate congressional committees on the effectiveness of, and the need for any improvements to, the Container Security Initiative. The updated report shall address each of the elements required to be included in the report provided for under paragraph (1)."

Pub. L. 111–281, title VIII, §825, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3004, as amended by Pub. L. 114–120, title III, §320, Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 66, provided that:

"(a) Coordination.—The Secretary of Homeland Security shall, to the extent practicable, conduct the assessments required by the following provisions of law concurrently, or develop a process by which the assessments are coordinated between the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection:

"(b) Limitation.—Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to affect or diminish the Secretary's authority or discretion—

"(c) Multiple Assessment Report.—The Secretary shall provide written notice to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Homeland Security of the House of Representatives whenever the Secretary conducts 2 or more assessments of the same port within a 3-year period."