US CBP, DFW, dnata start first airside centralised examination station

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials from the area port of Dallas joined with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) officials and executives from dnata Cargo USA to announce the opening of the nation’s first and only CBP centralised examination station with direct access to an airport air operations area (AOA).

The innovative setup, which traditionally takes place outside of a secure airfield environment at other airports, enables the direct transfer of cargo from airplanes to the CBP inspection facility, eliminating the need for additional transport and significantly enhancing efficiency, says an official release from CBP.

“This ambitious venture with dnata Cargo USA and DFW supports a strong economy and gives the area port of Dallas the cargo processing space to consolidate CBP enforcement efforts and the unprecedented volume of International E-commerce shipments,” says Jayson Ahern, Dallas Area Port Director, CBP. “These streamlined efforts allow CBP to better leverage our resources and manpower while ensuring we fulfil our national security mission. We are better suited to process legitimate cargo while protecting American business and consumers by intercepting illicit and possibly unsafe goods. This is at the core of CBP’s mission.”

The facility is strategically designed, from its location to its operational processes. With CBP officers on site, the central examination station (CES) features the latest non-intrusive inspection technology to expedite cargo exams, streamlining the overall package clearance process at DFW, the release added.

“The CES is a key part of supporting DFW Airport’s rapid growth of international e-commerce package clearances,” says Chris McLaughlin, Executive Vice President, Operations, DFW. “We’re just beginning to tap into our immense business potential in cargo, thanks to our location in the centre of the country, coupled with our extensive air service network. We thank our partners at CBP for choosing DFW as the first airport in the nation to lean into this new operating model."

DFW Airport processed 16,000 international e-commerce clearances in fiscal year 2020. The airport had seen its e-commerce clearances increase to 20 million packages in 2023. In the first half of 2024, that number has already exceeded 23 million packages, the release added.

While the vast majority of importers follow U.S. laws and regulations, transnational criminal organisations constantly attempt to circumvent the system by hiding their contraband under the massive flow of legitimate shipments. CBP now has another resource to address the challenges faced in the de minimis environment, helping CBP better protect the American people, the release added.

“By expediting the commercial flow of legitimate goods, this innovative CES has proven to be an economic stimulus to the region,” Ahern said. “CBP has assigned officers, agriculture specialists and supervisors to this facility since its inception, and we have seen greater speed and efficiency in clearing cross-border e-commerce and imports targeted for inspection. For the American consumer, it means their products make it to their doorstep faster and safer. This CES will serve as a model for future port efforts throughout the United States. Together with our DFW and dnata Cargo USA partners, we’re proud to be on the front end of this innovative effort.”