C-TPAT (AGAINST TERRORISM)
Description : The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is a voluntary supply chain security program led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and focused on improving the security of private companies' supply chains with respect to terrorism.
C-TPAT enrolls compliant, low security risk companies who are directly responsible for importing, transporting, or coordinating commercial import cargo into the United States. Thru the partnership, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol identify trusted import traders with good supply chain security protocols, thereby reducing its need to screen their imported cargo. In doing so, U.S. Customs is able to focus its efforts on imported cargo involving unknown or high-risk importers.
The C-TPAT includes :
• Procedural Security
• Documentation Processing
• Physical Security
• Access Controls
• Personnel Security
• Education and Training Awareness
• Manifest Procedures
• Conveyance Security
Why to perform a C-TPAT ?
For most companies, joining C-TPAT is not optional. The reality is that most importers have found that not being C-TPAT certified makes continued operations extremely difficult. The risk of supply-chain disruptions, and an increased number of customs inspections resulting from noncompliance with C-TPAT, is simply cost prohibitive. Border delays cost money.
Moreover, without certification, a company is not eligible for benefit programs such as the Importer Self-Assessment (ISA) program, and more and more companies insist upon doing business only with C-TPAT certified companies. C-TPAT is simply an industry standard at this point.
However, the program is not mandatory and businesses are free to choose not to join. For companies deciding not to participate in C-TPAT, there is a possibility of increased inspections, increased border waiting time, loss of business from companies who prefer to work with C-TPAT partners, and the potential negative publicity associated with non-compliance.
C-TPAT (AGAINST TERRORISM)
Chine
