What GAO Found Several factors limit the operations of Guam’s Customs and Quarantine Agency (CQA). For example, CQA maintains only paper-based records of customs transactions, which officials said limits efficiency, may compromise data reliability and result in reduced revenue. In August 2025, CQA received funding to implement an automated customs system. Nonfunctional equipment and procurement delays also limit CQA’s operations. For the past 3 years, CQA has had only one working x-ray machine, resulting in time-intensive manual cargo inspections. GAO identified several considerations for evaluating three selected alternatives to Guam’s current customs model: (1) Guam joins the U.S. customs territory, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) administering Guam customs (federalized model); (2) Guam remains outside the U.S. customs territory, with CBP administering Guam customs (hybrid model); or (3) Guam retains its current customs model, with additional funding for CQA from higher fees for incoming passengers or cargo. Considerations include the following: Legal changes and funding sources. In the federalized model, federal law would have to be amended for Guam to join the U.S. customs territory. In the federalized or hybrid model, a source of funding for CBP operations in Guam would need to be identified. Jurisdiction and security. In…
Professional
Guam: Considerations for Evaluating Alternative Customs Models and Potential Economic Effects
Source: US GAO Reports — US Government, Public Domain