[DR1] DR enters Safe Container Initiative

[NewsWhore]

The Dominican Republic has officially entered the Safe Container Initiative sponsored by the United States. It is the third country in Latin America to join the initiative. Signing for the Dominican Republic were Miguel Cocco, the head of the Customs office, and Hans Hertell, the US ambassador. The Multi-Modal Port of Caucedo has been certified and now forms part of a select group of ports that handle about 80% of all containers that enter the United States. Hertell explained that there are four basic elements in the SCI: The first is to identify high-risk containers using automatic equipment that can identify possible terrorist risks. The second is to pre-select and evaluate containers before they are shipped, generally in the port of departure. The third element is to use technology to pre-select high-risk containers and guarantee that processing can take place quickly in order not to impede trade. The fourth and final element is to use what he called "intelligent" containers that will permit the entrance ports in the US to quickly identify containers that have been opened during transit.

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