Rethinking border security in a high-traffic world

Security threats at commercial ports and international border crossings are constantly evolving, reports Astrophysics Inc.

Modern problems

Threats at commercial ports and international border crossings are evolving.

These changes are often driven by current events, with political and socioeconomic factors playing a direct role in shaping the priorities and methods of smuggling, trafficking, terrorism and other criminal enterprises.

For instance, during the pandemic, travel bans and quarantines disrupted traditional drug trafficking routes. This disruption led to a surge in fentanyl smuggling, as traffickers adapted to the new constraints.

Fentanyl’s potency allows it to be transported in much smaller quantities than heroin, making it a dangerous substitute in a world where international travel was severely restricted and subject to heightened scrutiny.

The realities of smuggling efforts further complicate the security landscape.

Popular media often portrays smugglers as shadowy figures sneaking contraband through remote wilderness or elaborate underground tunnels. However, the truth is far more mundane – and more troubling.

The vast majority of illegal imports enter through legal ports of entry, often carried by legal citizens.

In fact, over 80% of intercepted contraband is found in the possession of US citizens – this makes sense upon reflection: Blending into the crowd is far easier than standing out, and citizens typically face less suspicion than foreign nationals.

Another major challenge is the sheer volume of traffic passing through these checkpoints.

This applies equally to both passenger travel and commercial trade. In fiscal year 2012, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) conducted more than 7.6 million security inspections using non-intrusive inspection (NII) systems such as x-ray scanners.

That equates to more than 14 inspections per second – without even accounting for hours of operation.

Since then, traffic has only increased, especially in the years following the pandemic, which saw a sharp rebound in international activity.

Modern solutions

To address these challenges, modern security checkpoints at borders and commercial ports now rely on a combination of advanced technologies.

These systems are designed to minimise detection gaps while maximising throughput.

The ability to screen items for threats without manual inspection offers significant time savings.

Processing times that once took minutes – or even hours for large cargo containers – can now be reduced to mere seconds.

This force-multiplying effect not only shortens wait times but also reduces staffing needs and operational bottlenecks.

Despite these advancements, many checkpoints still fall short of achieving 100% inspection – a benchmark that is increasingly viewed as the gold standard for international customs. X-ray scanners remain central to the inspection process, forming the backbone of security operations.

They are typically supported by additional technologies such as explosive trace detectors, radiation monitors and metal detectors.

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has recognised the importance of NIIs by including them as a core component of its SAFE Framework for secure global trade. As a result, many countries have integrated NIIs into customs risk management strategies, improving both security and efficiency.

Cutting-edge innovations

Astrophysics continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in customs security.

Our HXC LaneScan system has transformed image quality and throughput capabilities for passenger vehicles at border crossings and secure facilities.

Meanwhile, our HXP FreightScan system is setting new standards for imaging performance, achieving steel penetration over 350 mm using a powerful 6 MeV LINAC x-ray source.

These innovations go beyond simply enhancing traditional x-ray performance. They are also integrated with AI-powered detection software, which further boosts throughput potential.

As deep learning algorithms become more sophisticated and benefit from larger datasets, AI is capable of reducing operator workloads.

With reliable detection and low false alarm rates, AI can quickly clear benign cargo, vehicles or individuals. Suspicious cases are flagged for human analysts to review.

Consider the scale of CBP’s operations: Of the 7.6 million screenings conducted, only about 1,500 posed actual threats. That’s a threat rate of just 0.02%.

In such a context, the ability to automatically filter out non-threatening records is a game-changer. It allows human operators to focus their attention where it’s truly needed, improving both efficiency and security.

Given that most customs checkpoints involve multiple NII systems operating in parallel, effective oversight is essential. The Astrophysics Situation Wall provides a centralised display that ties together operational data from all integrated systems.

It monitors machine status, throughput metrics, image queues, delays and other critical alerts. When combined with the HXC, HXP and AI systems, the Situation Wall delivers a comprehensive solution for customs security.

Global impact

The impact of NIIs on customs operations is both immediate and profound.

For example, an HXC unit installed for a US government agency detected contraband in the 20^th vehicle it scanned after commissioning.

Similarly, an HXP unit deployed in Latin America identified illicit cargo in the third container it inspected. These early successes underscore the effectiveness of advanced scanning technologies in real-world conditions.

Beyond intercepting threats, NIIs also provide valuable intelligence. They help uncover novel concealment methods that might evade traditional inspections and generate data on smuggling trends and threat actor behaviour.

This intelligence is particularly useful in the context of global security initiatives, which increasingly emphasise international cooperation, early warning systems and data sharing among allied nations.

While successful seizures are certainly gratifying, the real value of NIIs lies in their ability to increase throughput. Each HXC unit can process up to 450 vehicles per hour, while each HXP unit can scan up to 160 trucks – each towing a standard 40-foot container – within the same timeframe.

These figures represent ideal conditions, while real-world operations often face complications. Suspicious scans may require extended inspections; space constraints can slow down traffic and unrelated issues such as flat tires or stalled vehicles will cause delays.

Even so, actual throughput remains impressive.

At a conservative rate of 360 vehicles per hour, just 11 HXC scanners could handle over eight million inspections in a 2,080-hour work year. This level of efficiency has profound implications for border security, trade facilitation and resource allocation.

Looking forward

Looking ahead, deeper integration – both technically and organisationally – will be essential for the future of port and border screening.

Achieving 100% inspection is a necessary goal for true security, but the logistical demands of large economies like the US and China make this a formidable challenge.

However, strategic collaboration can help make this goal more attainable.

One promising approach involves leveraging trusted partner programs.

These programs are built on shared equipment standards, proven track records, mutual support agreements and other cooperative frameworks.

By inspecting goods at smaller checkpoints around the world, partner facilities can effectively “pre-clear” a significant portion of global commerce. This allows major ports to concentrate their resources on the smaller subset of cargo that remains unverified.

This model benefits all parties involved. Supporting facilities gain demand for services by offering expedited processing through major global ports.

Meanwhile, larger ports enjoy reduced inspection burdens and improved efficiency – the result is a more secure and streamlined global trade network.

As the industry moves toward this future, leading technologies like the HXC and HXP will play a pivotal role. These systems are not just tools – they are foundational elements of a new global standard for NII security.

They provide robust defences against illicit activity, enhance operational efficiency and align with international initiatives aimed at economic growth and stability.

In essence, investing in advanced security technologies is an investment in national safety and prosperity. It strengthens borders, facilitates trade and supports the broader goals of international cooperation and economic resilience.

As threats continue to evolve, so too must our solutions – and Astrophysics Inc. remains committed to leading that evolution.

Sources

• https://www.cato.org/blog/us-citizens-were-80-crossers-fentanyl-ports-entry-2019-2024
• https://www.factcheck.org/2025/01/illegal-immigration-and-fentanyl-at-the-u-s-northern-and-southwest-borders/
• https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2024-10/24_0930_ia_24-320-ia-publication-2025-hta-final-30sep24-508.pdf
• https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/nii_factsheet_2.pdf
• https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/topics/facilitation/instruments-and-tools/tools/safe-package/nii-guidelines-2025/nii-guidelines-en_june-2025.pdf