Officials Say Security Concerns Adding Costs to Global Moves

img src="/sites/default/files/images/articles/printeditiontag_new.gif" width=120 align=right>LA QUINTA, Calif. - Tighter security restrictions since the 9/11 terrorist attacks have created delays, higher costs, more inspections and more cargo damage for international movers. But moving industry officials said security has not had a big effect on domestic household goods carriers.

Representatives of international companies speaking at an April 6 session on security restrictions held during the American Moving and Storage Association's annual conference here said that after Sept. 11, 2001, household goods were deemed high risk cargo by the U.S. Customs Service.

"If you X-ray a container of pharmaceuticals or toys, it just looks like boxes that are all the same," said Ernst Joerg, president of Packimpex of Zurich, Switzerland. "But can you imagine how afraid a customs agent is when he sees a household goods shipment, which contains many different things?" including electronic devices and bottles.