ST. Louis CBP Processes First China Cargo Flight at Lambert
CBP
St. Louis – For the first time in 10 years, CBP officers at the St. Louis port of entry processed an international cargo flight at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. On Sept. 23, the inaugural China Cargo Airlines flight landed at approximately 4 p.m. and taxied to the Lambert cargo center where an entourage of federal, state and local stakeholders commemorated the significant event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks on the successful cooperative government, industry and aviation partnership.
“Trade is a vital artery to the heart of our nation’s economy and here in St. Louis we are keeping that heartbeat healthy and strong with the facilitation of new international trade opportunities,” said David Murphy, CBP Director of Field Operations in Chicago. “Our CBP offices have the expertise to give guidance to new and important initiatives like this one and to continually work cooperatively with local municipalities, state governments, industry and foreign countries.”
The China Cargo Airlines Boeing 777 originated in Shanghai with shipments of consumer goods. Initially, the regularly scheduled time and day, for subsequent China Cargo Airlines flights to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, will be on Monday at 9 a.m. beginning on Oct. 3. CBP crew member and agriculture inspections will be conducted in Anchorage, Alaska prior to the arrival of the plane in St. Louis.
The CBP multi-layered approach to international trade has a dynamic and comprehensive track record with initiatives designed to promote compliance in the pre-entry, entry, and post-release import environment. On a typical day, CBP processes $5.4 billion in imports and collects an estimated $87 million in duties, fees and taxes. At the end of fiscal year 2010, the value of imported merchandise into this country totaled $1.98 trillion. For additional information on international trade please visit the CBP website. ( CBP Website )
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.