---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 1171"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "1171"
heading: "International railroad security program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/1171"
units:
  - "Chapter 4 — Transportation Security"
  - "Subchapter IV — Surface Transportation Security"
  - "Part B — Railroad Security"
---

# §1171. International railroad security program

- (a) **In general—**
  - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall develop a system to detect both undeclared passengers and contraband, with a primary focus on the detection of nuclear and radiological materials entering the [United States](/usc/6/101.md?p=19-A) by railroad.
  - (2) **System requirements.—** In developing the system under [paragraph (1)](#a-1), the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) may, in consultation with the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office,[^1] Customs and Border Protection, and the Transportation Security Administration—
    - (A) deploy radiation detection equipment and nonintrusive imaging equipment at locations where railroad shipments cross an international border to enter the [United States](/usc/6/101.md?p=19-A);
    - (B) consider the integration of radiation detection technologies with other nonintrusive inspection technologies where feasible;
    - (C) ensure appropriate training, operations, and response protocols are established for Federal, [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17), and local [personnel](/usc/6/101.md?p=15);
    - (D) implement alternative procedures to check railroad shipments at locations where the deployment of nonintrusive inspection imaging equipment is determined to not be practicable;
    - (E) ensure, to the extent practicable, that such technologies deployed can detect terrorists or weapons, including weapons of mass destruction; and
    - (F) take other actions, as appropriate, to develop the system.
- (b) **Additional information—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall—
  - (1) identify and seek the submission of additional data elements for improved high-risk targeting related to the movement of cargo through the international supply chain utilizing a railroad prior to importation into the [United States](/usc/6/101.md?p=19-A);
  - (2) utilize data collected and maintained by the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) of Transportation in the targeting of high-risk cargo identified under [paragraph (1)](#b-1); and
  - (3) analyze the data provided in this subsection to identify high-risk cargo for inspection.
- (c) **Report to Congress—** Not later than September 30, 2008, the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall transmit to the [appropriate congressional committees](/usc/6/101.md?p=2) a report that describes the progress of the system being developed under [subsection (a)](#a).
- (d) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **International supply chain—** The term “international supply chain” means the end-to-end process for shipping goods to or from the [United States](/usc/6/101.md?p=19-A), beginning at the point of origin (including manufacturer, supplier, or vendor) through a point of distribution to the destination.
  - (2) **Radiation detection equipment—** The term “radiation detection equipment” means any technology that is capable of detecting or identifying nuclear and radiological material or nuclear and radiological explosive devices.
  - (3) **Inspection—** The term “inspection” means the comprehensive process used by Customs and Border Protection to assess goods entering the [United States](/usc/6/101.md?p=19-A) to appraise them for duty purposes, to detect the presence of restricted or prohibited items, and to ensure compliance with all applicable laws.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See Change of Name note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–53, title XV, § 1524, Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 451.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

Reference to the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office deemed to be a reference to the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, see section 2(b)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115–387, set out as a note under section 591 of this title.