§ 123.71 - Description of program.

The Land Border Carrier Initiative Program (LBCIP) is a program designed to enlist the voluntary cooperation of commercial conveyance entities in Customs effort to prevent the smuggling of controlled substances into the United States. Participation in the LBCIP requires the land or rail commercial carrier to enter into a written agreement with Customs that describes the responsibilities of participants in the LBCIP. The agreement generally provides that the carrier agrees to enhance the security of its facilities and the conveyances employed to transport merchandise. The carrier also agrees to cooperate closely with Customs in identifying and reporting suspected smuggling attempts. In exchange for this cooperation, Customs agrees to provide training to carrier personnel in the areas of cargo and personnel security, document review techniques, drug awareness, and conveyance searches. Customs also agrees that should a controlled substance be found aboard a conveyance owned or operated by a participating carrier, special administrative procedures relating to the assessment and mitigation of drug-related penalties will be followed; the degree of compliance with the terms of the agreement will be considered as an additional positive mitigating factor in any seizure or penalties decision or recommendation. Lastly, at certain high-risk locations, for the use of Line Release, imported merchandise, which otherwise qualifies for Line Release entry (see, subpart D of part 142 of this chapter), must be transported over the border by carriers that participate in the LBCIP. The locations where the use of Line Release will be conditioned on participation in the LBCIP will be published in the Federal Register.