---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 943"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "943"
heading: "Automated Targeting System"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/943"
units:
  - "Chapter 3 — Security and Accountability for Every Port"
  - "Subchapter II — Security of the International Supply Chain"
  - "Part A — General Provisions"
---

# §943. Automated Targeting System

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15), acting through the [Commissioner](/usc/6/901.md?p=4), shall—
  - (1) identify and seek the submission of data related to the movement of a shipment of cargo through the [international supply chain](/usc/6/901.md?p=10); and
  - (2) analyze the data described in [paragraph (1)](#a-1) to identify high-risk cargo for [inspection](/usc/6/901.md?p=9).
- (b) **Requirement—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15), acting through the [Commissioner](/usc/6/901.md?p=4), shall require the electronic transmission to the [Department](/usc/6/901.md?p=7) of additional data elements for improved high-risk targeting, including appropriate security elements of entry data, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15), to be provided as advanced information with respect to cargo destined for importation into the [United States](/usc/6/101.md?p=19-A) prior to loading of such cargo on vessels at foreign seaports.
- (c) **Consideration—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15), acting through the [Commissioner](/usc/6/901.md?p=4), shall—
  - (1) consider the cost, benefit, and feasibility of—
    - (A) requiring additional nonmanifest documentation;
    - (B) reducing the time period allowed by law for revisions to a [container](/usc/6/901.md?p=5) cargo manifest;
    - (C) reducing the time period allowed by law for submission of certain elements of entry data, for vessel or cargo; and
    - (D) such other actions the [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15) considers beneficial for improving the information relied upon for the Automated Targeting System and any successor targeting system in furthering the security and integrity of the [international supply chain](/usc/6/901.md?p=10); and
  - (2) consult with stakeholders, including the [Commercial Operations Advisory Committee](/usc/6/901.md?p=2), and identify to them the need for such information, and the appropriate timing of its submission.
- (d) **Regulations—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15) shall promulgate regulations to carry out this section. In promulgating such regulations, the [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15) shall adhere to the parameters applicable to the development of regulations under section 343(a) of the Trade Act of 2002 ([19 U.S.C. 2071](/usc/19/2071.md) note),[^1] including provisions relating to consultation, technology, analysis, use of information, confidentiality, and timing requirements.
- (e) **System improvements—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15), acting through the [Commissioner](/usc/6/901.md?p=4), shall—
  - (1) conduct, through an independent panel, a review of the effectiveness and capabilities of the Automated Targeting System;
  - (2) consider future iterations of the Automated Targeting System, which would incorporate smart features, such as more complex algorithms and real-time intelligence, instead of relying solely on rule sets that are periodically updated;
  - (3) ensure that the Automated Targeting System has the capability to electronically compare manifest and other available data for cargo entered into or bound for the [United States](/usc/6/101.md?p=19-A) to detect any significant anomalies between such data and facilitate the resolution of such anomalies;
  - (4) ensure that the Automated Targeting System has the capability to electronically identify, compile, and compare select data elements for cargo entered into or bound for the [United States](/usc/6/101.md?p=19-A) following a maritime [transportation security incident](/usc/6/901.md?p=17), in order to efficiently identify cargo for increased [inspection](/usc/6/901.md?p=9) or expeditious release; and
  - (5) develop a schedule to address the recommendations of the Comptroller General of the [United States](/usc/6/101.md?p=19-A), the Inspector General of the [Department](/usc/6/901.md?p=7) of the Treasury, and the Inspector General of the [Department](/usc/6/901.md?p=7) with respect to the operation of the Automated Targeting System.
- (f) **Secure transmission of certain information—** All information required by the [Department](/usc/6/901.md?p=7) from supply chain partners shall be transmitted in a secure fashion, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15), so as to protect the information from unauthorized access.
- (g) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated to the [United States](/usc/6/101.md?p=19-A) Customs and Border Protection to carry out the Automated Targeting System for identifying high-risk oceanborne [container](/usc/6/901.md?p=5) cargo for [inspection](/usc/6/901.md?p=9)—
  - (1) $33,200,000 for fiscal year 2008;
  - (2) $35,700,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
  - (3) $37,485,000 for fiscal year 2010.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–347, title II, § 203, Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1904.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Section 343(a) of the Trade Act of 2002, referred to in subsec. (d), is section 343(a) of Pub. L. 107–210, which was set out as a note under section 2071 of Title 19, Customs Duties, prior to editorial transfer to section 1415(a) of Title 19.