CBP to Require All C-TPAT Participants to Join New Security Link Portal by Various Deadlines

Use of C-TPAT Security Link Portal to be mandatory. According to CBP, all C-TPAT participants will be required to use the C-TPAT Security Link Portal to ensure that all company information and Supply Security Profile information is accurate and complete.

C-TPAT participants and certified members will be required to enter, update, and maintain several key fields of information to assist in the verification of program eligibility. This includes the posting of the current C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Profile and business profile information.

C-TPAT Security Link Portal to be available May 2006. CBP states that the C-TPAT Security Link Portal will be available May 2006 and will be announced on CBP's Web site with instructions accompanied by the URL.

C-TPAT participants must access and update C-TPAT Security Link Portal Account information by either July or August 2006 deadline. CBP states that C-TPAT participants must access and update all C-TPAT Security Link Portal Account information, including their current C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Profile based on the following implementation schedule dates:

Security Link Portal account can only be created/modified by POC. According to CBP, the Security Link Portal account can only be created or modified by the C-TPAT participant's point of contact (POC). At minimum, one of the POC must be a company officer or employee and have valid e-mail addresses registered with CBP C-TPAT.

Participants lose C-TPAT benefits if they fail to update information by deadline. CBP states that if a C-TPAT participant fails to update the necessary information by the required date, the participant's application will be considered withdrawn and all C-TPAT benefits, including reduced and expedited CBP exam processing and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lane access, will be removed and the company would be required to re-apply for the C-TPAT program.

Types of updates and information. According to CBP, the C-TPAT Security Link Portal is a secure, Internet web portal for qualifying C-TPAT participants to:

enter new applications;

instantly submit information updates and add new information;

maintain a "living" Supply Chain Security Profile that can be updated as needed and must be updated and re-certified on a yearly basis;

communicate directly with CBP C-TPAT and/or their designated C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Specialists using a secure system;

receive information directly from CBP to include cargo security alerts and sanitized intelligence information; and

maintain a list of authorized users.

(CBP states it is making participation in the C-TPAT Security Link Portal mandatory to:

improve the communications between C-TPAT participants and Certified Members;

allow participants to receive information directly from CBP to include cargo security alerts and sanitized intelligence information;

create uniform processing;

streamline C-TPAT application processing;

provide completely paperless process;

provide a structure to facilitate the construction and maintenance of the C-TPAT Supply Chain Security profile. The supply chain security profile outlines the participant's commitment to C-TPAT criteria and/or guidelines; and

ensure all C-TPAT participants update and maintain all C-TPAT information.)

CBP's Q&A on C-TPAT Security Link Portal available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/implement_portal/portal_qa.xml.