A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AND THE BAHAMAS CUSTOMS CONCERNING THE POSTING OF OFFICERS OF THE UNITED STATES CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AT THE PORT OF FREEPORT, THE BAHAMAS FOR THE PURPOSES OF IMPLEMENTING THE UNITED STATES CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION CONTAINER SECURITY INITIATIVE

STATEMENT ON THE CONTAINER SECURITY INITIATIVE 

Recognizing the long-standing, close and productive relations between The Bahamas Customs Department and the United States Customs and Border Patrol, the two agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding, today. 

The Container Security Initiative (CSI) is to be implemented at the port of Freeport, which processes a significant volume of commercial traffic to the United States. 

This exercise is another effort to safeguard global maritime trade by enhancing cooperation at seaports worldwide, to identify and examine high-risk containers and to ensure their in-transit integrity. 

The United States Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to duties at the port of Freeport will work in accordance with The Bahamas’ Customs guidelines but will work under the authority of the United States Ambassador in the Bahamas. 

By reciprocity, upon the request of The Bahamas customs, Bahamian Customs officers may be stationed at United States seaports under the same conditions established with respect to the posting of United States Customs and Border Protection officers at the port of Freeport. 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
04 August 2006