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Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)

In response to September 11th, U.S. Customs and Border Protection began developing a new industry-wide security standard for protecting supply chains against terrorism. As part of this effort U.S. Customs and Border Protection actively seeks corporate participation in a program known as the Customs - Trade Partnership Against Terrorism or C-TPAT.

Benefits of Participation

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the chief benefits of participation in C-TPAT will be:

• A reduced number of inspections (reduced border times);
• An assigned account manager;
• Access to the C-TPAT membership list;
• Eligibility for account-based bimonthly/monthly payments;
• An emphasis on self-policing, not Customs verifications;
• Eligibility for participation in various other Customs programs; and
• General benefits of enhanced security, which may in the future reduce certain insurance/bond policies.

Perhaps more importantly, participants also avoid the consequences that may occur if they do not "volunteer." Such non-participation will likely result in classification of the importer into an "unknown" security category, and accordingly the chances increase for:

• Higher scrutiny of cargo;
• Increased reviews and audits;
• Added examinations;
• Requests for information; and
• No guarantees for cargo processing times.
• While the benefits of C-TPAT are obviously greater for large companies that rely heavily on international supply chains, C-TPAT is designed for the entire trade community.

• Manufacturers
• Importers
• Licensed Brokers
• Air Carriers
• Sea Carriers
• Air Freight Consolidators/Ocean Transportation Intermediaries and NVOCCs
• Marine Port Authority/Terminal Operators

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