CBP Issues C-TPAT Strategic Plan on Securing the Global Supply Chain

According to CBP Commissioner Bonner, this strategic plan conveys CBP's vision and goals for the future, including taking C-TPAT to the next level by, among other things, establishing a true "green" lane that speeds C-TPAT shipments across and through all U.S. ports of entry, including seaports and airports.

Included in CBP's strategic plan are five goals, aspects of which are highlighted as follows:

Goals 1 & 2 - Ensure that C-TPAT Partners Improve Security of Supply Chains & Provide Incentives/Benefits to C-TPAT Partners

CBP's first and second goals are to ensure that C-TPAT partners improve the security of their supply chains pursuant to C-TPAT security criteria while providing incentives and benefits to include expedited processing of C-TPAT shipments to C-TPAT partners.

With respect to these goals, CBP outlines four key objectives for Goal 1 and five key objectives for Goal 2:

Goal 1 - Improve Security

Certify security profiles and security information provided by C-TPAT partners.

Enhance validation selection approach using risk factors, and expand the scope and volume of C-TPAT validations.

Formalize the requirements for C-TPAT self-policing tool, and implement the process for the submission of the C-TPAT periodic self-assessment.

Require participants to engage and leverage all business partners within their supply chains.

In addition, CBP's strategic plan provides the following details with respect to Goal 1:

C-TPAT partners.CBP states that in the future, security information for applicants and members will become more demanding and require more specific detail. As C-TPAT best practices increase in number and scope, more stringent criteria for security practices and information submitted to CBP will be required.

C-TPAT validations expanding and adapting in scope. According to CBP, initially C-TPAT validations focused on specific portions of the supply chain. However, the scope currently includes manufacturing sites, foreign logistics providers, and foreign ports.

Goal 2 - Provide Incentives, Benefits

Develop the C-TPAT secure communication platform.

Conduct anti-terrorism training seminars and targeted outreach for certified partners and the trade community.

Share information and security best practices with the membership.

Develop minimum security criteria, especially applicable to point of origin, point of stuffing and smarter, more secure cargo containers.

Provide expedited processing benefits to C-TPAT partners.

CBP's strategic plan also provides information on the following topics related to Goal 2:

Best practices. CBP states that C-TPAT is cataloging best practices reported either through security profile submissions or in the validation process. As the catalog increases, examples of both successful and extraordinary security practices, relevant to a particular industry, will be made available to participants.

Benefits statement. CBP states that the C-TPAT office is developing a "Benefits Statement" for distribution to members. This report will include a variety of program benefits information and will quantify the reduced inspection benefits realized by program participants.

Foreign manufacturers, point of stuffing, secure maritime containers. CBP explains that it will develop and disseminate updated program requirements and criteria. These requirements/criteria will focus on foreign manufacturers and container points of stuffing, through the CBP clearance process - and eventually will include the use of more secure maritime containers.

Tiered benefits, green lane. C-TPAT will also explore options for providing tiered-benefits to members. CBP states that establishment of the "green lane" concept will be based upon the following security and facilitation principles: Free and Secure Trade (FAST), smarter containers, the use of Container Security Initiative (CSI) ports, and the recently adopted World Customs Organization (WCO) frame-work for international cargo security standards. According to CBP, these all contribute to the expedited processing of C-TPAT partners.

Goal 3 - Internationalize the Core Principles of C-TPAT

CBP's third goal is to internationalize the core principles of C-TPAT through cooperation and coordination with the international community. This goal includes the following four key objectives:

Partner with the international trade community to help secure global supply chains.

Partner with individual customs administrations to improve the coordination of mutual anti-terrorism efforts.

Support the World Customs Organization (WCO) to develop a WCO-sponsored framework to secure and facilitate global trade that recognizes customs-private sector partnerships.

Coordinate with international organizations to improve the security and integrity requirements of their membership.

Goal 4 - Support Other CBP Security and Facilitation Initiatives

CBP's fourth goal is to support other CBP security and facilitation initiatives. For this goal, CBP has the following four key objectives:

Support the implementation and expansion of Free and Secure Trade (FAST).

Support the development and implementation of a more secure and smarter container

Support and complement CBP's Container Security Initiative (CSI).

Support other CBP and DHS anti-terrorism initiatives.

With respect to goal 4, CBP also provides the following details:

High-security seals for in-bound ocean. CBP states that it is leading DHS' efforts to set minimum regulatory requirements for high-security seals on all in-bound ocean containers.

Goal 5 - Improve the Administration of the C-TPAT Program

CBP's fifth goal is to improve the administration of the C-TPAT program. For this goal, CBP has three key objectives:

Implement the C-TPAT human capital plan

Expand the structured training program for C-TPAT supply chain specialists

Coordinate with the CBP Modernization Office to enhance C-TPAT's data collection and information management capabilities.

CBP's Strategic Plan is available athttp://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/ctpat_strategicplan.ctt/ctpat_strategicplan.pdf