Customs and Borders
Rapid, Portable, Chemical ID
Confidently identify thousands of chemical threats immediately to ensure customs and borders safety.
Rapid Chemical ID for Customs and Borders Security
Balancing security and efficiency remains one of the most significant challenges in customs and borders protection. This entails implementing stringent measures to combat illegal activities such as smuggling, trafficking, and terrorism while ensuring the seamless and lawful movement of goods and people through customs and borders. Integrating advanced chemical identification devices like the VipIR, MX908, ProtectIR and ThreatID into border operations empowers agents with bulk and trace-level analysis capabilities. These technologies enhance decision-making by identifying containers or vehicles that warrant secondary screening, enabling more targeted inspections. The result is a safer, more efficient process for detecting bulk or trace-level quantities of drugs and uncovering potential drug trafficking operations.
Technology Solutions for Chemical ID at Customs and Borders
At points of entry, trace-level identification is essential for effectively screening vehicles, packages, and containers crossing borders. The MX908 utilizes mass spectrometry to detect trace (invisible) quantities of substances on the exterior of vehicles and containers, providing officers with critical information to initiate secondary searches and locate larger quantities of drugs.
Once a trace amount of substance has been identified, our portable VipIR device, a 3-in-1 analyzer, is ideal for identifying the chemical composition of over 39,000 bulk liquid and solid materials. At the heart of VipIR is Smart Spectral Processing, a proprietary algorithm that actively integrates data from Raman and FTIR technologies for analysis of complex or mixed substances from just one sample. This simplified workflow eliminates guesswork, accelerating decision making on scene. ProtectIR and ThreatID, which utilize FTIR technology, can identify tens of thousands of unknown bulk chemical compounds with precision. All of our devices for bulk chemical analysis offer seamless fleet management capabilities through our Team Leader App.
Integrating complementary analytical technologies, such as mass spectrometry, FTIR and Raman, significantly improves operational efficiency, enhances safety protocols, and ensures compliance with legal standards at border crossings. These advanced capabilities enables the rapid screening and precise identification of chemical threats, minimizing delays and facilitating smooth transit while upholding stringent security measures, all while keeping officers safe.
Drug Identification at Customs and Borders
Customs and borders agencies are responsible for safeguarding borders while ensuring the safety and security of travelers, imports, and exports. A major focus of customs organizations is the identification and seizure of illegal drugs. Drug traffickers conceal contraband, posing a challenge to border patrol officers. Rapid and accurate identification of dangerous substances is important to determine response, stop illegal drugs from entering the border, and ensure custom agent’s safety.
Learn more and explore how the New Zealand Customs Service (NZCS) utilized the MX908 to identify narcotics, toxic industrial chemicals, and detect explosives and precursors.
Trace-level Chemical ID
Advancements in handheld chemical analysis, like high-pressure mass spectrometry (HPMS), are revolutionizing customs and borders operations. Our MX908 handheld device allows officers to detect and identify trace substances in seconds, directly in the field. By enhancing accuracy, operational speed, and safety, MX908 empowers customs officials to make swift, informed decisions during inspections.
Customs and Borders Chemical ID Applications
Enhance border security with rapid chemical identification.
3-in-1 Bulk Solid/Liquid Analysis
VipIR
Combines FTIR and Raman technologies with Smart Spectral Processing to deliver a single, confident result from just one sample.
Trace-level Analysis
MX908
Respond in real time with trace detection and identification of chemical threats at the point of need.
Bulk Liquid/Solid Identification
ProtectIR
Confidently identify and assess thousands of chemical threats anywhere with this compact, lightweight, handheld FTIR device.
Solid/Liquid/Gas Identification
ThreatID
Portable FTIR chemical threat identification for thousands of complex mixtures for emergency and military responders.
Suggested Resources
Drug Detection at the Border: How VipIR and MX908 Work Together to Elevate Customs & Border Screening
Discover how VipIR and MX908 work together to elevate border drug detection with rapid screening and advanced chemical identification—helping customs agents triage faster, identify threats confidently, and protect ports of entry without slowing commerce.
Chilean Border Agents Foil Multiple Narcotics Smuggling Attempts with MX908
Explore how advanced detection technology is helping stop drug smuggling at airports through real-world case studies from Chilean customs.
To Catch a Smuggler: Drugs Identified in 3D Printed Animal Figurines
Customs was warned about the use of 3D printed objects to conceal drugs. With the MX908, they were able to quickly identify drug substances present.
Trace Chemical Detection for Customs Inspection
Enhance border security with fast, accurate chemical detection for customs inspections. Discover how MX908 handheld mass spectrometer streamlines trace drug identification and boosts operational efficiency at ports of entry.
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