CBP Did Not Effectively Conduct International Mail Screening or Implement the STOP Act (REDACTED)

Submitting OIG:

Report Description:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) did not consistently target for additional inspection or evaluate potentially inadmissible international mail entering the United States through its nine International Mail Facilities (IMFs). Although IMFs faced challenges targeting mail and examining packages identified as potential threats, CBP did not evaluate whether its screening was effective or refer problems to stakeholders for resolution.

Date Issued:

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Department of Homeland Security

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

OIG-23-56

Component, if applicable:

United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Location(s):

Agency-Wide

Type of Report:

Audit

Questioned Costs:

Funds for Better Use:

Number of Recommendations:

Report updated under NDAA 5274:

Additional Details Link:

https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2023-09/OIG-23-56-Sep23-Redac…

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation
1	Open	No
We recommend that CBP’s Office of Field Operations assign responsibility for ensuring STOP Act implementation, including: a. monitoring and resolving advance electronic data quality and quantity issues; b. documenting justifications for advance electronic data waivers; c. providing lists of advance electronic data waivers to International Mail Facilities and implementing routine, alternate screening for mail from countries with advance electronic data waivers; and d. enforcing penalties when the U.S. Postal Service accepts mail without advance electronic data.
2	Open	No
We recommend that CBP’s Office of Field Operations implement a mechanism for all International Mail Facilities to record enforcement actions other than seizures.
3	Open	No
We recommend that CBP’s Cargo and Conveyance Security update the International Mail Operations and Enforcement Handbook, dated August 2001. At a minimum, updates should include: a. clearly defined roles and responsibilities for monitoring performance across International Mail Facilities; and b. key performance metrics and targeting goals to assess the effectiveness of mail operations.
4	Open	No
We recommend that CBP’s National Targeting Center provide Automated Targeting System training to officers assigned to International Mail Facilities, including on how to place targeted holds on mail and how to target mail without an identified port code.
5	Open	No
We recommend that CBP’s Office of Field Operations establish and implement a process for: a. developing advance electronic data waivers using CBP data to assess a country’s risk eligibility; b. documenting justifications for waiver countries; and c. reporting advance electronic data waivers and justifications to Congress.

Recommendation Number

Recommendation Status

Significant Recommendation

Additional Details

Open

We recommend that CBP’s Office of Field Operations assign responsibility for ensuring STOP Act implementation, including: a. monitoring and resolving advance electronic data quality and quantity issues; b. documenting justifications for advance electronic data waivers; c. providing lists of advance electronic data waivers to International Mail Facilities and implementing routine, alternate screening for mail from countries with advance electronic data waivers; and d. enforcing penalties when the U.S. Postal Service accepts mail without advance electronic data.

Open

We recommend that CBP’s Office of Field Operations implement a mechanism for all International Mail Facilities to record enforcement actions other than seizures.

Open

We recommend that CBP’s Cargo and Conveyance Security update the International Mail Operations and Enforcement Handbook, dated August 2001. At a minimum, updates should include: a. clearly defined roles and responsibilities for monitoring performance across International Mail Facilities; and b. key performance metrics and targeting goals to assess the effectiveness of mail operations.

Open

We recommend that CBP’s National Targeting Center provide Automated Targeting System training to officers assigned to International Mail Facilities, including on how to place targeted holds on mail and how to target mail without an identified port code.