U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published a downloadable user manual for its Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) web portal.
The manual explains how to navigate through the portal and complete your CTPAT application. It will also enable partners in the program to take advantage of CTPAT and foreign AEO cargo facilitation benefits.
The CTPAT web portal is constantly changing to meet the demands of the trade environment and technology and new trends in supply chain security. It has expanded to include elements of Trade Compliance and the changes required to update the MSC.
Through CTPAT program, CBP works with the trade community to strengthen international supply chains and improve U.S. border security. CTPAT is a voluntary public-private sector partnership program between CBP and supply chain stakeholders including importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers. To date, more than 11,400 partners have been accepted into the program, accounting for 52% (by value) of cargo imported into the U.S.
When an entity joins CTPAT, 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.CTPAT members are considered to be of low risk, and are therefore less likely to be examined at a U.S. port of entry.
Other benefits of being a CTPAT partner include:
- Reduced number of CBP examinations
- Front of the line inspections
- 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 CTPAT web-based Portal system and a library of training materials
- 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
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