Rules and practices are changing constantly, evolving.
"Years ago, you could run into the airport,
buy a ticket with cash and no ID,
and hop on the plane right away, and be airborne
within the hour. Today? Of course you can no longer do that.
Is it easy for cargo to get through the various checkpoints and quickly onto an airplane? Or placed onto a ship?
No, it takes time, close inspection,
and unless you develop a track record and become "known" there will be delays and in some instances, no service.
Shippers need to become "known" to the US Government, and known to the
service providers and carriers. It's no longer like it was pre-2001."
Notes from abroad: "Security Matters"
Congress: http://homeland.house.gov
White House Executive Order:
International Emergency Economic Powers Act
National Intelligence Estimate
IMPORTANT ADVISE ON US IMPORTS/EXPORTS
U.S. borders have been "pushed outward" as far as US Customs and Border protection is concerned.
New and "unknown" importers (to the US) can expect longer lead time requirements to process new shipments.
Allow at least 5-7 business days advance lead time for any US import shipment going to "the pier" at the overseas port of origin.
A profile has to be made and entered for each party to an export/import transaction. US exports require a SED Shippers Export Declaration,
filed electronically by an authorized person.
Export and Import shipments have to be processed in their own unique way.
Cargo can not arrive from unknown parties on short notice, and expect to move immediately.
Security procedures are no longer just a "routine matter". Real identification is required, and US Government maintained security lists have to be checked.
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