Washington, D.C. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced a significant new partnership with Samsonite, LLC, as part of its Donations Acceptance Program. This collaboration will see Samsonite providing refurbished luggage to aid in the training of CBP canines. These canines play a crucial role in detecting agricultural products and pests, narcotics, weapons, and other illegal contraband entering and exiting the United States.
Diane Sabatino, CBP’s Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Field Operations, emphasized the importance of this partnership. “Public-private partnerships are vital to training our canines with real-world props to replicate the environment where they’ll be working,” she stated. Sabatino further highlighted the need for constant improvement in training methodologies, considering the critical role of canines in CBP’s mission to protect the homeland.
The Miami and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood ports of entry will be the initial beneficiaries of this partnership. However, it is designed to extend Samsonite’s ability to donate additional luggage to other CBP ports of entry across the United States.
Under 6 U.S.C. § 301a and the Homeland Security Act of 2002, CBP is authorized to accept donations of real property, personal property (including monetary donations), and non-personal services from private sector and government entities. These donations can be utilized for various purposes, including construction, alterations, operations, and maintenance activities at ports of entry.