CBP Issues its Implementation Plan for the New C-TPAT Security Criteria for Sea Carriers (90 Day Delay for Currently Enrolled C-TPAT Sea Carriers)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued its implementation plan for the new minimum-security criteria for sea carrier participants in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).
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(See today's ITT, 06031705 for BP summary of the new C-TPAT security criteria for sea carriers.)
CBP states that these new minimum security criteria for sea carriers are effective March 1, 2006.
For New Sea Carriers Applying to Join C-TPAT
CBP states that any new sea carrier applying to the C-TPAT program after March 1, 2006, must demonstrate in their security self-assessment profile that they are meeting or exceeding these baseline security criteria before the applicant will be accepted into the C-TPAT program.
Applications for new membership will only be accepted electronically, via the C-TPAT web-based online application for sea carriers, with the submission of a completed, comprehensive security-profile that is required at the time of application.
For Currently Enrolled C-TPAT Sea Carriers
All sea carriers currently enrolled into the C-TPAT program will be afforded 90 days from March 1, 2006, to meet or exceed these minimum security criteria. Existing members are not required to resubmit an updated security self-assessment. Rather, after the 90-day implementation period, when a sea carrier member becomes subject to the C-TPAT validation process, the validation process will be used to determine if the sea carrier is meeting these minimum-security criteria.
CBP states that sea carriers will have 90 days from the March 1, 2006 effective date to address all of the following security areas:
- Business Partner Requirements (security procedures)
- Container Security (seals, container inspection, etc)
- Physical Access Controls (Boarding - Disembarking of vessels, etc.)
- Personnel Security (background checks, crewmember control, etc.),
- Procedural Security (passenger and crew, manifesting procedures, etc.)
- Security Training and Awareness
- Physical Security (fencing, lighting, parking, etc.)
- Information Technology (password, accountability)
- Security Assessments, Response and Improvements
Certifications. Existing C-TPAT member sea carriers will not be required to provide a written certification that the security criteria have been met, nor will previously submitted and accepted security profiles need to be resubmitted. It will be understood that sea carriers must meet or exceed these baseline security criteria by the end of the 90-day implementation phase. CBP will continue to use validations to gauge whether or not sea carriers have adopted these security criteria. Those sea carriers found to be deficient may have benefits suspended, or removed from the program entirely.
Lastly, as a voluntary, incentive based supply chain security program, CBP states that the new C-TPAT security criteria for sea carriers are risk based, flexible, and designed to help CBP achieve its twin goals of security and facilitation. CBP will continue to work with members who demonstrate a commitment towards strengthening their entire supply chain and benefits will be provided accordingly.
Implementation plan for sea carriers (dated 03/01/06) available at