CSI: Container Security Initiative

What is the Container Security Initiative (CSI)?

As the single, unified border agency of the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) mission is extraordinarily important to the protection of America and the American people. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, U.S. Customs Service began developing antiterrorism programs to help secure the United States. Within months of these attacks, U.S. Customs Service had created the Container Security Initiative (CSI).

The Container Security Initiative (CSI) is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program designed to identify and inspect high-risk maritime cargo containers before they are shipped to the United States.

CSI addresses the threat to border security and global trade posed by the potential for terrorist use of a maritime container to deliver a weapon. CSI proposes a security regime to ensure all containers that pose a potential risk for terrorism are identified and inspected at foreign ports before they are placed on vessels destined for the United States. CBP has stationed teams of U.S. CBP Officers in foreign locations to work together with our host foreign government counterparts. Their mission is to target and prescreen containers and to develop additional investigative leads related to the terrorist threat to cargo destined to the United States.

Launched in 2002 in response to increased global security concerns, CSI focuses on preventing the use of commercial cargo containers for smuggling weapons, terrorist materials, or other dangerous goods. The program operates by deploying CBP officers to strategic international ports, where they collaborate with host country customs authorities to assess and screen cargo destined for the U.S.

By shifting inspections to the port of origin rather than waiting for cargo to arrive in the United States, CSI significantly enhances supply chain security and risk prevention.

The three core elements of CSI are:

• Identify high-risk containers. CBP uses automated targeting tools to identify containers that pose a potential risk for terrorism, based on advance information and strategic intelligence.
• Prescreen and evaluate containers before they are shipped. Containers are screened as early in the supply chain as possible, generally at the port of departure.
• Use technology to prescreen high-risk containers to ensure that screening can be done rapidly without slowing down the movement of trade. This technology includes large-scale X-ray and gamma ray machines and radiation detection devices.

Through CSI, CBP officers work with host customs administrations to establish security criteria for identifying high-risk containers. Those administrations use non-intrusive inspection (NII) and radiation detection technology to screen high-risk containers before they are shipped to U.S. ports.

Announced in January 2002, CSI has made great strides since its inception. A significant number of customs administrations have committed to joining CSI and operate at various stages of implementation.

CSI is now operational at ports in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin and Central America. CBP’s 61 operational CSI ports now prescreen over 80 percent of all maritime containerized cargo imported into the United States.

Why CSI Matters for Companies Exporting to the United States

Companies involved in exporting goods to the U.S. must understand that supply chain security is a key priority for CBP. Programs like CSI increase scrutiny on cargo, particularly shipments considered high-risk.

Organizations that implement strong security practices and participate in programs such as CTPAT benefit from:

• Reduced inspection rates

• Faster cargo clearance

• Lower risk exposure

• Greater trust from U.S. authorities

• Improved international credibility

Conclusion

The Container Security Initiative represents a fundamental component of U.S. cargo security strategy. By identifying and inspecting high-risk containers before they reach U.S. ports, CSI helps prevent threats while ensuring the continuity of global trade.

For exporters, logistics providers, and supply chain stakeholders, aligning with international security standards and programs such as CTPAT is essential to ensuring secure, compliant, and efficient trade operations with the United States.