The aggressive debate within the US government about the merit of screening all cargo before entering the country has ended. US President Bush recently signed into law an Act that calls for the screening of container cargo to secure borders against terrorist actions. This hotly contested Improving America's Security Act (HR 1, PL 110-53) is expected to bring extra burdens to the already cumbersome cross-border trade process by requiring screening of goods before vessel loading, thereby opening the door to the imposition of further maritime and surface transport-related user fees for security purposes.
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