The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) has voiced its total opposition to the US requirement for all containers imported into the US to be scanned by 2012.
"The disastrous effect on the supply chain of scanning all export containersworldwide is evident," said Fiata.
Operations at all ports will be unreasonably delayed and the resulting congestion would become unbearable, the association said. The additional port installations need for screening every container will cost millions, or even billions of US dollars, Fiata added.
"One hundred per cent scanning of boxes is simply impossible and would slow down the world trade and be a hindrance to a smooth transport chain."
The freight forwarding industry believes that the advance cargo declaration that is already applicable for sea container shipments and will become applicable for all shipments from 2009, together with appropriate intelligence, is a "much more practical and valuable approach."
Mutual recognition of the various security programmes worldwide such as C-TPAT, AEO and others will also help the security analysis.
FIATA said it hopes for workable security measures with the highest added value for security. "We are convinced that our opposition to the 100 per cent scanning is shared by the many other involved parties.
"Simply, the process will implicate cargoes that are "low to no" risk based upon existing vetting systems and consequently create pointless costly and time consuming burdens to international trade."