Containers shipped from overseas reach the United States at one of the 361 ports at a rate of 7-9 million per year ? more containers come across the US-Canadian border on trucks and trains. Ninety-five percent of America?s $827 billion in trade enter by shipping-container. The announcement on October 19 that the Container Security Initiative (CSI)–an umbrella term that also includes the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)–will be fully operational in four ports in the UK by November 1 brings the total number of ports in compliance with the standard to 30, extending the CSI safety net to cover approximately 80% of incoming containers. The initiative was implemented in 2002 to reduce the vulnerability of cargo containers being used to transport terrorists or terrorist weapons into the United States.

Immediately following the 9/11 attacks (Terrorist Incident), there was a two-day delay for incoming inter-modal containers at the US-Canada border. The Economist reported near chaos at Detroit?s car factories, which rely heavily on the flow of parts from Canada. The ?just-in-time? system of delivery that has reduced operating costs for American companies by decreasing warehousing needs also puts the same companies at risk if delays in the supply-chain occur.