Fact Sheet

January 2005

Mobile Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System

The mobile Vehicle and Cargo Inspections System (VACIS^TM) is a truck-mounted, gamma ray, mobile scanning system that captures an image of a marine container, rail car, or truck contents. It gives the operators of this equipment an image similar in many ways to an X-ray. The mobile VACIS^TM can quickly scan a shipment to detect suspected contraband, weapons, and other dangerous goods while minimizing disruptions and costs for importers.

This equipment is part of the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) investment in new technology that further enhances the Agency's abilities to stop dangerous goods from entering Canada. This new technology is safe, secure, and fast. The VACIS^TM units use a low-level radiation source to penetrate the vehicles and their cargo. With the assistance of gamma ray scanning, operators view radiographic images of marine container shipments on a computer to quickly and easily identify hidden compartments associated with the transportation of stolen or illegal goods. VACIS^TM units enable operators to determine if commercial cargo is consistent with the declared manifest.

The CBSA has purchased 12 units, which are strategically located at various seaports, airports and land border crossings in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

The CBSA continues to explore the use of new state-of-the-art technology to maintain its commitment as an innovative leader in border management.

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