C-TPAT: Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism

C-TPAT is but one layer in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) multi-layered cargo enforcement strategy. Through this program, CBP works with the trade community to strengthen international supply chains and improve United States border security. C-TPAT is a voluntary public-private sector partnership program which recognizes that CBP can provide the highest level of cargo security only through close cooperation with the principle stakeholders of the international supply chain such as importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers. The Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006 provided a statutory framework for the C-TPAT program and imposed strict program oversight requirements.

A Growing Partnership

From its inception in November 2001, C-TPAT continued to grow. Today, more than 11,400 certified partners spanning the gamut of the trade community, have been accepted into the program. The partners include U.S. importers/exporters, U.S./Canada highway carriers; U.S./Mexico highway carriers; rail and sea carriers; licensed U.S. Customs brokers; U.S. marine port authority/terminal operators; U.S. freight consolidators; ocean transportation intermediaries and non‐operating common carriers; Mexican and Canadian manufacturers; and Mexican long‐haul carriers, all of whom account for over 52 percent (by value) of cargo imported into the U.S.

How C-TPAT works

When an entity joins C-TPAT, an agreement is made to work with CBP to protect the supply chain, identify security gaps, and implement specific security measures and best practices. Applicants must address a broad range of security topics and present security profiles that list action plans to align security throughout the supply chain.

C‐TPAT members are considered to be of low risk, and are therefore less likely to be examined at a U.S. port of entry.

C-TPAT Benefits

C-TPAT Partners enjoy a variety of benefits, including taking an active role in working closer with the U.S. Government in its war against terrorism. As they do this, Partners are able to better identify their own security vulnerabilities and take corrective actions to mitigate risks. Some of the benefits of the program include:

● Reduced number of CBP examinations
● Front of the line inspections
● Possible exemption from Stratified Exams
● Shorter wait times at the border
● Assignment of a Supply Chain Security Specialist to the company
● Access to the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Lanes at the land borders
● Access to the C-TPAT web-based Portal system and a library of training materials
● Possibility of enjoying additional benefits by being recognized as a trusted trade Partner by foreign Customs administrations that have signed Mutual Recognition with the United States
● Eligibility for other U.S. Government pilot programs, such as the Food and Drug Administration’s Secure Supply Chain program
● Business resumption priority following a natural disaster or terrorist attack
● Importer eligibility to participate in the Importer Self-Assessment Program (ISA)
● Priority consideration at CBP’s industry-focused Centers of Excellence and Expertise

C-TPAT Resource Library and Job Aids

The files in this library are available for free download and printing. They are intended as samples or demonstrations of how many of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program’s minimum security criteria can be easily met by many smaller companies, or companies with multiple locations, without resorting to expensive resources or processes. C-TPAT Partners may also find these samples useful when conducting outreach on the minimum security criteria to business partners that are not eligible for the C-TPAT program, but who need documented procedures to comply with requests from the C-TPAT Partner.

As an applicant to the C-TPAT program, a company should be reviewing and documenting its existing security practices and procedures to determine if the program’s minimum security criteria are being successfully addressed. Additionally, daily security activities should, and in many cases must, be documented in order for companies to be able to conduct internal audits and ensure continuity of the processes. This documented Evidence of Implementation of security procedures is a critical element that C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Specialists will be asking to review during validation site visits. When reviewing such documentation, Specialists are required to ensure all such processes and records are specific to the C-TPAT Partner’s operation and not “one size fits all” or “cookie cutter” documents.

Thus, none of these documents should be used “as is,” but should be tailored to the particular need of each company, location, or supply chain. To emphasize the necessity of having such processes accurately reflect individual needs, the documents have been posted here in such a format they may only be printed and not electronically modified. This format will require a person within the company to actively create and customize their unique version of such documents, and thus take ownership of the processes.

Air Freight Consolidators, Ocean Transport Intermediaries, and Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCC)

Eligibility Requirements

1. Be an active Air Freight Consolidator, Ocean Transportation Intermediary or Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC).
2. Have an business office staffed in the United States.
3. If applicable, have an active Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued Organization Number or an International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued Organization Number in the following format: ###### FMC Organization Number and ###### IATA Organization Number
4.Possess a valid continuous international carrier bond and/or in bond/export consolidator bond (IBEC) registered with CBP.
5. Have a designated company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for C-TPAT.
6. Commit to maintaining C-TPAT supply chain security guidelines as outlined in the CTPAT consolidator agreement.
7. Create and provide CBP with a C-TPAT supply chain security profile, which identifies how the consolidator will meet, maintain and enhance internal policy to meet the CTPAT consolidator security guidelines.