Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has become the first airport in the country to operate a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Centralized Examination Station (CES) on the secure side of an airport, in a new partnership between CBP, DFW and Dnata Cargo USA. The CES moves e-commerce inspections inside the secure airfield, which expedites and further secures the transfer of cargo from airplanes to the CBP inspection facility. DFW’s e-commerce clearances have increased significantly over the last several years, with the airport processing over 23 million packages this year to date.
“The CES is a key part of supporting DFW Airport’s rapid growth of international e-commerce package clearances,” said Chris McLaughlin, DFW’s executive vice president of operations. “We’re just beginning to tap into our immense business potential in cargo, thanks to our location in the center of the country, coupled with our extensive air service network. We thank our partners at CBP for choosing DFW as the first airport in the nation to lean into this new operating model.”
“By expediting the commercial flow of legitimate goods, this innovative Centralized Examination Station has proven to be an economic stimulus to the region,” added Jayson Ahern, CBP Dallas area port director. “CBP has assigned officers, agriculture specialists, and supervisors to this facility since its inception, and we have seen greater speed and efficiency in clearing cross-border e-commerce and imports targeted for inspection. For the American consumer, it means their products make it to their doorstep faster and safer. This CES will serve as a model for future port efforts throughout the United States. Together with our DFW and Dnata partners, we’re proud to be on the front end of this innovative effort.”
