AfA urges DHS to stop planned CBP cuts at US airports

The Airforwarders Association (AfA) has warned the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that any reduction or halt in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations at certain airports could disrupt time-sensitive air cargo supply chains and affect the movement of critical goods across the United States.

In a letter addressed to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the Association raised concerns over reports that the department is considering reducing or stopping CBP operations at some US airports. AfA said CBP presence at these facilities is essential for international cargo movement and warned that any reduction in cargo processing capacity at major gateway airports would create immediate disruption.

The Association said industries that depend on air freight rely on speed and timely clearance, including shipments such as temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, medical devices and manufacturing components. It said CBP clearance acts as the final stage before cargo can move into the supply chain and delays could affect delivery timelines.

AfA noted that the United States imports a significant share of pharmaceutical products, including finished medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients, through air cargo. It said many of these shipments are temperature-controlled and time-sensitive and warned that delays at airports such as JFK, O’Hare, LAX and Miami could affect hospital supplies, treatment timelines and medical deliveries.

The Association also said US manufacturers in sectors including aerospace, automotive, electronics and consumer goods depend on imported components moved by air because production schedules cannot absorb delays. It warned that reduced CBP staffing could lead to cargo queues, supply chain disruption and damage to the reliability of US ports of entry.

AfA said freight networks cannot be rerouted quickly because airline schedules, warehouse allocations, trucking links and bonded facility agreements are built around established ports of entry. It added that airports mentioned in current reports act as gateway hubs for cargo moving across the country, meaning disruption at one location could have wider consequences.

“CBP cargo operations are not merely an administrative processing function — they are a critical component of the nation’s trade enforcement, cargo screening, supply chain security, and national economic resilience infrastructure,” wrote Brandon Fried, Executive Director, Airforwarders Association.

The Association urged DHS and CBP to maintain current staffing levels at air cargo Ports of Entry and consult the freight forwarding and air cargo industry before making any changes that could affect clearance capacity. AfA said it is ready to provide operational analysis, data and stakeholder input to support discussions.