On June 8, 2007, the United States and Mexico signed an historic bilateral agreement to strengthen the cooperation and coordination of our respective customs operations, and thereby facilitate and expeditiously increase trade between our countries. In 2011 and 2015, the United States and Canada signed a “Pre-Clearance” Agreement. Throughout the legislative, political, and security initiatives, BIA and its affiliates have participated in pilot dual-customs programs. Now, more than ever, the focus needs to be on the commercial air cargo trade, to further develop and propel forward our interdependent economies.

The Dual-Customs project was first presented in 2006 by Ricardo Farias Nicolopulos, an international businessman, to various authorities from the U.S. and Mexican governments. With the participation of several partners and consultants, they formed BIA Cargo, Inc. (BIAC), and, later, Bi-National Gateway Terminal, LLC (BIA), both U.S. companies, led by Ricardo Farias Nicolopulos.

All relevant federal agencies provided their approval: the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Aviation Association (FAA), and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In Mexico, the former ambassador to the Embassy of the United States, Antonio O. Garza, Jr. supported the project from its inception, as did subsequent U.S. officials in Mexico. BIAC officers met several times with the SAT officials in Mexico, and received their endorsement.

Dual customs is a reality. The pilot operations have already been established in Laredo, Texas, with the support of Henry Cuellar, U.S. Representative to Texas’s 28th congressional district, and other federal and state authorities.

Today, Ricardo Farias Nicolopulos is focused on expanding customs facilities at Missouri’s international airports. BIA’s market analysis has concentrated on the centralization of air cargo trade between the Midwest (specifically, Missouri) and airports in Mexico. Airport in Kansas City, provide multimodal options which are conducive to transporting cargo within an 8-hour radius, once it clears customs. Furthermore, with the current president of Mexico’s compelling initiative to move the nation’s air cargo trade to a dedicated cargo hub, and out of the overtaxed Mexico City International Airport (MEX), it is opportune we partner to provide pre-clearance air cargo operations at the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) and the central corridor of trade in the United States: the Kansas City International Airport.

To address the pre-clearance facilities in the international air cargo industry, new or reconstructed air cargo terminals and runways must be developed to house dual-customs operations, with links to rail, land, and water.

As an executive for Atlanta, Georgia-based express giant UPS states, “implementing a pre-clearance model for movement of goods including ground and marine transport recognizes the importance of trade through all modes of delivery.”

Shippers using this expedited service can expect to have their cargo delivered within hours, instead of several days currently needed to clear customs and deliver international air cargo. Essentially, all cargo clearing the DUAL CUSTOMS facility will become domestic cargo, and available for immediate delivery in either country.

This will create an opportunity for all airports in Mexico to link with all airports in the United States via the DUAL CUSTOMS
connection. It is our ALL-to-ALL campaign. Through the consolidation of customs clearance, cargo can then be forwarded to smaller national airports in the U.S. and Mexico, and, thereby, create more efficient and less costly distribution centers.

The key components of a Missouri Dual-Customs Facility will highlight its location in the heart of an eight-state region. Agriculture, industry, medical supplies, aeronautics, automotive, chemical supplies, fresh produce, financial services, the military, and many other interests in both nations will be exponentially increased by a concentration of customs facilities, with agents from both nations to pre-clear the secure cargo.