Update on C-TPAT for Importers: Only Online Applications Now Accepted, New C-TPAT Security Standards Apply
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently posted to its Web site a Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) online application for importers, as well as application instructions. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/23/05 news, 05032310 for BP summary of CBP's posting to its Web site of the online application and instructions.)
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Only Online C-TPAT Importer Applications Will Now be Accepted
According to U.S. government sources, with the posting online of the "C-TPAT Partner Application for Importers," new applications for C-TPAT for importers will only be accepted via the online application.
Application Instructions Require/Include New C-TPAT Security Standards for Importers
The C-TPAT application instructions state that importers are required to complete and submit to CBP a Supply Chain Security Profile that addresses each item in the "C-TPAT Security Criteria for Importers," the text of which is contained in the application instructions.
(The "C-TPAT Security Criteria for Importers" contained in the instructions is identical to what BP recently reported was the "final draft" of the new C-TPAT Security Standards for Importers. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/25/05 news, 05022505 for BP summary transcribing the final draft in its entirety.)
The C-TPAT application instructions explain that the Supply Chain Security Profile should summarize the importer's commitment to ensuring adherence to the "C-TPAT Security Criteria for Importers."
In addition, the Supply Chain Security Profile must be ready to upload immediately upon completion of the online application.
New Security Standards Could be Phased-In for Existing C-TPAT Importers
According to one source in the trade community, the new "C-TPAT Security Criteria for Importers" could be implemented in a phased-in manner for current importer C-TPAT participants, once CBP sees how they are working for new importer applicants.
C-TPAT importer online application for importers and application instructions available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/importers/