# Through-Container Inspections

*Last updated: 2026-06-18*

> At international container terminals and border checkpoints, through-container inspections are conducted before customs authorities decide whether to physically open a shipment.

At international container terminals and border checkpoints, through-container inspections are conducted before customs authorities decide whether to physically open a shipment. Using imaging technologies – primarily X-ray or gamma-ray scanners – officials produce a cross-sectional image of the container's contents without unloading a single item. The technique detects contraband, explosives, radioactive materials, and cargo that does not match the declared manifest. Inspections are deployed on a risk-based basis: containers flagged for unknown consignors, irregular documentation, or origin from high-risk corridors are prioritized for scanning. Compared to a physical devanning inspection, the process is significantly faster and causes far less disruption to terminal operations.

**Source:** [https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/container-inspections](https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/container-inspections)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Through-Container Inspections |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 103 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-18 |
| Source | https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/container-inspections |

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