US ports express reluctance to pay for new customs facilities

The American Association of Port Authorities has criticised US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) policies requesting port authorities to build and incur the costs of CBP staffing facilities at ports.

The AAPA said that the CBP should not be seeking ways to build new facilities while there continues to be a shortage of CBP officers for maritime activities.

In a letter to the CBP, the AAPA said: “CBP is requesting consolidated and custom-built facilities (according to CBP design specifications) for CBP personnel. From a port perspective, generally CBP staff already have adequate facilities and in most cases these facilities are occupied on non-revenue lease terms.