Mandatory steep cuts in the federal budget that went into
effect March 1 due to a government process called sequestration will lead to
workforce reductions and long waits for cargo inspections at US Customs field
offices at the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex and elsewhere, according to
Customs officials.
“We anticipate significant potential impacts to cross-border
travel and trade,” Customs Deputy Commissioner David Aguilar wrote in March 2
letter to members of the trade and travel industries. “These negative impacts
are going to increase as we enter peak travel seasons.”
The sequestration cuts, which include furloughs, reductions
in overtime and a hiring freeze, are equivalent to the loss of up to several
thousand officers, according to Customs.
Among the impacts Aguilar listed was a decrease in service
levels in cargo operations, including the possibility of waits of five days or
more at major seaports of container examinations, and “reduced flexibility” to
maintain or extend operating hours or respond to requests for new services.
Aguilar said the letter was part of an ongoing dialogue
between the Dept. of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and private stakeholders
and that there are plans to continue direct communications on the issue.
“CBP is very concerned about the ramifications of
sequestration and we will endeavor to operate in a manner that is least
disruptive to our mission and to your businesses,” Aguilar said in the letter,
which was sent to 28 trade and travel entities, including the Border Trade
Alliance, Cruise Lines International Association, Trade Support Network and
World Shipping Council.
