WAREHOUSES Security:
Develop and implement a sound plan to enhance security procedures. These are general recommendations that should be followed on a case-by-case basis depending on the company's size and structure and may not be applicable to all. Warehouses as defined in this guideline are facilities that are used to store and stage both Customs bonded and non-bonded cargo. The company should have a written security procedure plan in place addressing the following:
Develop and implement a sound plan to enhance security procedures. These are general recommendations that should be followed on a case-by-case basis depending on the company's size and structure and may not be applicable to all. Warehouses as defined in this guideline are facilities that are used to store and stage both Customs bonded and non-bonded cargo. The company should have a written security procedure plan in place addressing the following:
Physical Security:
All buildings should be constructed of materials, which resist unlawful entry and protect against outside intrusion. Physical security should include:
Adequate locking devices for external and internal doors, windows, gates and fences. Adequate lighting provided inside and outside the facility to include parking areas.Segregation and marking of international, domestic, high-value, and dangerous goods cargo within the warehouse by a safe, caged, or otherwise fenced-in area. Separate parking area for private vehicles separate from the shipping, loading dock, and cargo areas. Having internal/external communications systems in place to contact internal security personnel or local law enforcement police.
Adequate locking devices for external and internal doors, windows, gates and fences. Adequate lighting provided inside and outside the facility to include parking areas.Segregation and marking of international, domestic, high-value, and dangerous goods cargo within the warehouse by a safe, caged, or otherwise fenced-in area. Separate parking area for private vehicles separate from the shipping, loading dock, and cargo areas. Having internal/external communications systems in place to contact internal security personnel or local law enforcement police.
Access Controls:
Unauthorized access to facilities should be prohibited. Controls should include:
> The positive identification of all employees, visitors, and vendors.
> Procedures for challenging unauthorized/unidentified persons.
> The positive identification of all employees, visitors, and vendors.
> Procedures for challenging unauthorized/unidentified persons.
Procedural Security:
Procedures should be in place to protect against unmanifested material being introduced into the warehouse. Security controls should include:
> Having a designated security officer to supervise the introduction/removal of cargo.
> Properly marked, weighed, counted, and documented cargo/cargo equipment verified against manifest documents.
> Procedures for verifying seal on containers, trailers, and railcars.
> Procedures for detecting and reporting shortages and overages.
> Procedures to notify Customs and other law enforcement agencies in cases where anomalies or illegal activities are detected or suspected by the company.
> Proper storage of empty and full containers to prevent unauthorized access.
> Having a designated security officer to supervise the introduction/removal of cargo.
> Properly marked, weighed, counted, and documented cargo/cargo equipment verified against manifest documents.
> Procedures for verifying seal on containers, trailers, and railcars.
> Procedures for detecting and reporting shortages and overages.
> Procedures to notify Customs and other law enforcement agencies in cases where anomalies or illegal activities are detected or suspected by the company.
> Proper storage of empty and full containers to prevent unauthorized access.
Personnel Security:
Companies should conduct employment screening and interviewing of prospective employees to include periodic background checks and application verifications.
Education and Training Awareness:
A security awareness program should be provided to employees including recognizing internal conspiracies, maintaining cargo integrity, and determining and addressing unauthorized access. These programs should encourage active employee participation in security controls.
