CBP Monitoring Imports and Travelers from Japan for Signs of Radiation

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March 21, 2011

On March 17, 2011, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) issued a statement regarding goods and travelers entering the United States from Japan. CBP also issued field guidance directing field personnel to specifically monitor maritime and air traffic from Japan and stated that no aircraft entering the United States had tested positive for harmful levels of radiation. CBP is using a variety of radiation-detection technology at air and sea ports in accordance with specific operational protocol. Personal Radiation Detectors are being used in air environments, and airports also have Radiation Isotope Identification Devices. At seaports and in international mail and express consignment facilities, CBP is using large-scale Radiation Portal Monitors. CBP is scanning all maritime cargo, express consignment, and mail arriving from Japan. CBP also announced that it will deny entry to contaminated cargo and mail.

 

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare has ordered a stop to the sale of all food products from the Fukushima Prefecture. The FDA’s import tracking system has been programmed to automatically flag all shipments of FDA-regulated products from Japan. The FDA will also be paying special attention to shipments from companies in the affected area that are registered in the FDA’s registry of companies that prepare, pack, manufacture, or hold food for intended consumption in the United States. As the FDA’s investigation continues, the Agency will also develop a monitoring strategy that may include increased and targeted product sampling at the border.