The fourth edition of Building an Import/Export Business is dedicated to the managers and staff of the United States Department of Homeland Security. Thev have the very difficult task of allowing legitimate trade to flow while blocking imports and exports that might bring harm to the United States. This huge and relatively new government agency includes the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which protects the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. It also includes United States Customs and Border Protection (ะกะะ ), which is responsible for protecting the nation's borders against terrorists and terrorism while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. In addition, it includes the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is charged with finding and eliminating vulnerabilities in the nation's border, economic, transportation and infrastructure security. Imagine 30,000 sealed shipping containers entering the United States every day through ports on all borders, and the enormous task of deciding which ones to detain and inspect. It boggles the mind, yet it is being done to the best of the DHS's ability, guided by ever-changing legislation and its interpretation. I congratulate everyone who is involved in this difficult but vital endeavor.
