Processing of Oversized Cargo at GSA’s Santa Teresa POE

SANTA TERESA – The Santa Teresa Land Port of Entry completed an expansion at its port entrance allowing large cargo to pass through safely and efficiently to improve commercial trade at the port.

This marks the first time General Services Administration (GSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have partnered with a private entity through the Donations Acceptance Program.  TPI Mexico, LLC, ships oversized wind turbine blades produced in Ciudad Juarez through the Santa Teresa POE. Their largest shipments measure approximately 78 yards long with increasing demand for even larger blades.  The oversized cargo is difficult to maneuver through the entrance and has caused congestion, shipping delays and economic strain in the local communities.

“This project not only benefits the commercial interests on both sides of the border, but it also reflects a high level of collaboration and cooperation between the USA and Mexico, and between the public and private sectors,” said Charlie Hart, GSA’s Southern Border Executive.  “It truly requires a team effort to enable such a project to reach this stage.”

Through the partnership, TPI Mexico, LLC, donated the construction services to expand the concrete pavement, to install a new gate and chain-link fence and to relocate a light pole to increase the turn radius through the port.

“The expansion of the infrastructure at the Santa Teresa Port of Entry is critically important to ensuring the facilitation of lawful trade and travel,” said Santa Teresa Port Director Fernando Thome. “These improvements will greatly improve our ability to process oversized cargo in a safe and efficient manner, in effect, positively impacting our country’s economic security.”