If a badge applicant is seeking a seal on their badge from Customs and Border Protection, please only send the application to MSPSecuritySeals@CBP.DHS.GOV after the individual has physically visited the MAC Badging Office and started the badging process. This procedure should also be followed for Customs Seal renewals. Have your employees renew their badge at the Badging Office prior to sending in the CBP seal renewal application.

Signers can follow the applicant’s progress in the MAC Portal. The Customs Seal is required to access CBP security areas. The CBP can only add Customs Seals once the badging process has begun, and sending the request early may cause delays.

Please feel free to reach out directly to the Badging Office if you have any questions regarding the process.

The Badging Office continues to see a relatively high number of no-shows – about 25% -- for badging appointments. We’re encouraging Signers to tell employees they need to show up and be on-time.

If an individual doesn’t arrive within two minutes of the start time, we move to the next customer. This policy resulted from the high volume of traffic over the last eight-plus years. Waiting for employees with appointments to show up was leading to fewer overall employees served. That, in turn, added to frustration for new applicants and renewals seeking a timely appointment.

In 2018 the Badging Office had a lead time of 28 days for appointments, and we want to do everything in our power to avoid a similar situation. Individuals who are late for their appointment have the option to join the walk-in queue if it’s available when they’re at the office. Otherwise, the employee needs to re-schedule.

Please let your employees know about this policy. We appreciate your cooperation.

The MSP Airport Aviation Security team conducts monthly Prohibited Items and Knife Log audits in compliance with the TSA regulation. The MAC’s Commercial Management and Airline Affairs Department (CMAA) and the TSA may also conduct knife audits.

Below are some reminders regarding the audits. Please reach out to your CMAA contact with any questions you might have.

• CMAA does not require the individual completing a knife count be a manager/supervisor. A trained staff member may complete the knife count and sign the logbook.
• The knife log cannot be signed in advance of the daily knife count. Knives should be counted and logged at the businesses’ opening and at the shift change as noted on the log form. The count should occur within 30 minutes plus/minus of the time noted on the log.
• Please complete the log in its entirety.
• All prohibited items must be either tethered or locked up, away from the public. This includes scissors, box cutters and similar items.
• The audit team appreciates your cooperation, which helps them complete their task with minimal operational impact to your business. Also, please inform your staff that audits are done monthly and they should anticipate the audits.