C-TPAT Program
C-TPAT, Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, is part of a major U.S. security initiative created after
the September 11 incident in 2001. The goal of this program is to partner U.S. businesses with the
government to strengthen the security of business and import processes that bring overseas products to the
United States.
The program started with seven founding members in 2001 and in five years its memberships exceeds
10,000 and still growing in 2010.
C-TPAT members involve U.S. importers, licensed U.S. custom brokers, air, sea, railroad, highway carriers,
airfreight consolidators, ocean transportation intermediaries, NVOCC, U.S. port authorities / terminal
operators, and foreign manufacturers.
Please download our brochure in PDF file for reference!
To view or download Brochures you will need the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® to view the PDF file.
What are the C-TPAT Security Criteria?
Accelerate Distribution
C-TPAT membership provides optimum level of supply chain security which reduce the risk of containers
being held by the US Customs and greatly accelerate the distribution of goods from major ports within the
United States especially after series of planned terrorist attack recently.
As more information given by C-TPAT participant would allow US Customs to be more precise in identifying
potential risks and thus conduct fewer and better targeted container inspections. At the same time, a stringent
rule is set to make sure that sensitive business information is not divulged or shared to market competitors.
Importers
Importers must conduct a comprehensive assessment of their international supply chains based upon the C-
TPAT security criteria.
An importer outsourcse or contracts elements of their supply chain, such as a foreign manufacturing facility,
conveyance, domestic warehouse, or other logistics elements, the importer must work with the business
partners to ensure that security measures are in place and adhered to throughout the whole supply chain.
The C-TPAT purpose is defined from point of origin (manufacturer/supplier/vendor) through to point of
distribution and recognizes the diverse business models C-TPAT members employ.
Avoid Delay
CBP gathers information provided by the US importers to manage the risks associated with cargo containers.
Noting that CBP is using information as a substitute for the brute force of 100 percent physical inspection
because the more information CBP collected on a container, the less likely for them to waste a physical
inspection, and thus can reduce importers cost and delays.
USSCC understands the complexity of international supply chain management. We offer comprehensive
consulting services to trace C-TPAT issues which gives your business the best tailor made solutions.
Abide the rule
As C-TPAT members are required to secure their supply chain, which means member companies must
require their overseas partners, vendors, suppliers, manufacturers, service providers to abide with the C-
TPAT security requirements.
Therefore, when C-TPAT members search for overseas business partners, these overseas business partners
must comply with C-TPAT security standard as a pre-requisite for long term business relationship.
Good security measurements are good business practices; it makes sense!
Future Development
Although C-TPAT is a U.S. security initiative and its membership has not extended to overseas yet to a large
extent, there are plans to open the membership to overseas businesses. Nevertheless, many businesses
outside the U.S. particularly manufacturers are willing to comply the C-TPAT requirements in order to explore
the US market.
In addition to the U.S. other countries are tighten up their import security in recent months. Back to June 2005
the World Customs Organization (WCO) has issued the “Framework of Standards To Secure and Facilitate
Global Trade” for its 166 member countries. This is the WCO version of C-TPAT, in deed, there are many
C-TPAT elements inside the mentioned document.
C-TPAT, Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, is part of a major U.S. security initiative created after
the September 11 incident in 2001. The goal of this program is to partner U.S. businesses with the
government to strengthen the security of business and import processes that bring overseas products to the
United States.
The program started with seven founding members in 2001 and in five years its memberships exceeds
10,000 and still growing in 2010.
C-TPAT members involve U.S. importers, licensed U.S. custom brokers, air, sea, railroad, highway carriers,
airfreight consolidators, ocean transportation intermediaries, NVOCC, U.S. port authorities / terminal
operators, and foreign manufacturers.
Please download our brochure in PDF file for reference!
To view or download Brochures you will need the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® to view the PDF file.
What are the C-TPAT Security Criteria?
- Business Partners Requirements
- Container Security
- Physical Access Controls
- Physical Security
- Procedural Security
- Personnel Security
- I.T. Security
- Security Education and Awareness
Accelerate Distribution
C-TPAT membership provides optimum level of supply chain security which reduce the risk of containers
being held by the US Customs and greatly accelerate the distribution of goods from major ports within the
United States especially after series of planned terrorist attack recently.
As more information given by C-TPAT participant would allow US Customs to be more precise in identifying
potential risks and thus conduct fewer and better targeted container inspections. At the same time, a stringent
rule is set to make sure that sensitive business information is not divulged or shared to market competitors.
Importers
Importers must conduct a comprehensive assessment of their international supply chains based upon the C-
TPAT security criteria.
An importer outsourcse or contracts elements of their supply chain, such as a foreign manufacturing facility,
conveyance, domestic warehouse, or other logistics elements, the importer must work with the business
partners to ensure that security measures are in place and adhered to throughout the whole supply chain.
The C-TPAT purpose is defined from point of origin (manufacturer/supplier/vendor) through to point of
distribution and recognizes the diverse business models C-TPAT members employ.
Avoid Delay
CBP gathers information provided by the US importers to manage the risks associated with cargo containers.
Noting that CBP is using information as a substitute for the brute force of 100 percent physical inspection
because the more information CBP collected on a container, the less likely for them to waste a physical
inspection, and thus can reduce importers cost and delays.
USSCC understands the complexity of international supply chain management. We offer comprehensive
consulting services to trace C-TPAT issues which gives your business the best tailor made solutions.
Abide the rule
As C-TPAT members are required to secure their supply chain, which means member companies must
require their overseas partners, vendors, suppliers, manufacturers, service providers to abide with the C-
TPAT security requirements.
Therefore, when C-TPAT members search for overseas business partners, these overseas business partners
must comply with C-TPAT security standard as a pre-requisite for long term business relationship.
Good security measurements are good business practices; it makes sense!
Future Development
Although C-TPAT is a U.S. security initiative and its membership has not extended to overseas yet to a large
extent, there are plans to open the membership to overseas businesses. Nevertheless, many businesses
outside the U.S. particularly manufacturers are willing to comply the C-TPAT requirements in order to explore
the US market.
In addition to the U.S. other countries are tighten up their import security in recent months. Back to June 2005
the World Customs Organization (WCO) has issued the “Framework of Standards To Secure and Facilitate
Global Trade” for its 166 member countries. This is the WCO version of C-TPAT, in deed, there are many
C-TPAT elements inside the mentioned document.
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What is C-TPAT?
Photo courtesy The U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP)
Border Protection (CBP)