The International Trade Data System (ITDS) vision is to implement a secure, integrated, government-wide system for the electronic collection use, and dissemination of the international trade and transportation data essential to the missions of federal agencies. A principal mission of the homeland security initiative is to improve coordination of border security activities among multiple federal agencies. Improved collaboration among the federal agencies that examine cargo, conveyances and crew at the border requires a cooperative effort to share critical data. As a result, the first goal of the President's homeland security initiative is to "tear down unwarranted information 'stovepipes' within the federal government." To do so, the federal government must establish an interagency ability to ensure that a central information clearinghouse with compatible databases informs all aspects of border control. ITDS will provide the mechanism by which participating government agencies (PGAs) can gain greater efficiency and effectiveness through enhanced data access and collaboration. Through ACE/ITDS, CBP is creating a single information technology platform that the federal government requires to strengthen our nation's borders. To get full benefits from this site it is best viewed with Internet Explorer 4 or higher