DFW Airport opens the nation’s first airport-level customs inspection station

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has made history as the first airport in the United States to operate a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Centralized Examination Station (CES) within its secure airfield.

This groundbreaking facility represents a significant departure from traditional practices where cargo was inspected outside the secure environment of the airfield. Now, goods can be transported directly from the aircraft to the CBP inspection facility, streamlining the process and increasing both efficiency and security.

The CES is the result of a collaboration between CBP, DFW Airport and dnata Cargo USA. The strategically located station is equipped with the latest non-invasive inspection technologies that enable rapid cargo screening and optimal use of CBP resources.

This facility not only speeds up the customs clearance process at DFW, but also the delivery of imported goods throughout North Texas and beyond.

Chris McLaughlin, DFW’s executive vice president of operations, said, “CES is an important part of supporting the rapid growth of international e-commerce parcel handling at DFW Airport. Thanks to our central location and extensive air transportation network, we are just beginning to realize our immense business potential in the cargo space.

“We thank our partners at CBP for selecting DFW as the first airport in the country to join this new operating model.”

Jayson Ahern, Port Director of CBP Dallas Area Port, said, “By accelerating the flow of legal goods, this innovative CES has proven to be an economic boost for the region.

“CBP has assigned officers, agricultural specialists and supervisors to this facility since its inception. We have seen faster and more efficient processing of cross-border e-commerce and imports for inspection. For the American consumer, this means their products get to their doorstep faster and more safely.

“This CES will serve as a model for future port projects across the United States. Together with our partners DFW and dnata, we are proud to be at the forefront of this innovative initiative.”

In fiscal year 2020, DFW processed 16,000 international e-commerce clearances. By fiscal year 2023, that number increased to 20 million packages, and by the first half of fiscal year 2024, that number was already over 23 million packages.

Through ongoing collaboration between CBP, airline and cargo partners, and local freight forwarders, DFW says it is positioning itself as a leading cargo hub in North America.

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