Wednesday March 10 , 2010

C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) Program

What is C-TPAT?

Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is a voluntary government-business initiative that builds cooperative relationships that strengthen and improve overall international supply chain and U.S. border security. C-TPAT is widely recognized as one of the most effective means of providing the highest level of cargo security through close cooperation with international supply chain businesses such as importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers. Through this initiative, CBP is asking businesses to ensure the integrity of their security practices and communicate and verify the security guidelines of their business partners within the supply chain.

What are the benefits?

C-TPAT offers trade-related businesses an opportunity to play an active role in the war against terrorism. By participating in this first worldwide supply chain security initiative, companies will ensure a more secure and expeditious supply chain for their employees, suppliers and customers. Beyond these essential security benefits, CBP will offer benefits to certain certified C-TPAT member categories, including:

  • Priority processing for CBP inspections. (Front of the Line processing for inspections when possible.)

  • A reduced number of CBP inspections (reduced border delay times)

  • Assignment of a C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Specialist (SCSS) who will work with the company to validate and enhance security throughout the company’s international supply chain.

  • Potential eligibility for CBP Importer Self-Assessment program (ISA) with an emphasis on self-policing, not CBP audits.

  • Eligibility to attend C-TPAT supply chain security training seminars.

  • Eligibility to participate in and enjoy the benefits of the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program which allows companies to special expedited cargo lanes.

Who is eligible to join?

  • U.S. Importers

  • Mexican Manufacturers

  • U.S./Mexico Trucking Companies

  • U.S./Canada Trucking Companies

  • U.S. Customs Brokers

  • Third Party Logistics Providers (3PLs)

  • Rail Carriers

  • Sea Carriers

  • Air Carriers

  • U.S. Marine Port Authority/Terminal Operators

  • U.S. Air Freight Consolidators, Ocean Transportation Intermediaries and Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCC)

  • Long Haul Highway Carriers in Mexico

What do I need to do in order to join?

Step 1: Comprehensive Assessment

In order to join the C-TPAT program, a company must conduct a comprehensive assessment of their operations and international supply chain based upon the minimum C-TPAT security criteria for their type of company. The company must comply with the minimum C-TPAT security criteria.

Step 2: Supply Chain Security Profile

Upon completion of the assessments, the company must document their policies, procedures and details regarding their security systems in place. A C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Profile must be created according to the minimum C-TPAT security criteria.

The Profile must be filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Lead time for U.S. Customs to certify a company is 1-90 days unless the Profile is incomplete.

If the Profile is incomplete, your Profile is moved to the bottom of pile for review. It is key to prepare the Profile accurately and Trans-Border can assist with the entire process.

Upon approval of both the Security Profile and the vetting process, the account status is listed as "certified". The applicant becomes an actual C-TPAT member when the account status is designated as "certified. The applicant is then eligible to generate a Status Verification Interface ("SVI") number. This number is exchanged between C-TPAT members in order to verify each other’s C-TPAT status.

Step 3: C-TPAT Procedural Manual

Information documented in the Profile, which is filed with CBP must be documented in a procedural manual as required by the C-TPAT security criteria.

Step 4: C-TPAT Security and Threat Awareness Training

All of your employees should be trained on security and threat awareness. Employees in critical areas must be trained according to the C-TPAT security criteria. New employees must be given the training during orientation.

Interested?

Trans-Border Group will develop a customized C-TPAT program for your Company, which will include the following:

  • Conduct an on-site assessment of your key location(s)

  • C-TPAT overview with management along with each departments responsibilities

  • Formation of an internal C-TPAT team responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the C-TPAT program

  • Documentation of the company’s existing policies and procedures

  • Preparation of a Post Assessment Report, which consists of an analysis with the observations and tasks, that needs to be completed in order to comply with the minimum C-TPAT security criteria.

  • Creation of a C-TPAT Security Link Portal account for your company

  • Development of a C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Profile for your company

  • Filing of your C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Profile with CBP

  • Development of the required written procedures in a manual format along with documents and checklists needed for documentation purposes