CBP's New, Mandatory C-TPAT Security Link Portal Expected to be Available May 24
During the recent meeting of the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection and Related Functions (COAC), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials stated that the new, mandatory Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Internet Application and Communications Portal (referred to as the C-TPAT Security Link Portal) is expected to be available on May 24, 2006. (CBP officials noted that they had originally expected the C-TPAT Security Link Portal to be available in early May 2006.)
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CBP has previously stated that 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.
New Guidance on Deadlines for Updating C-TPAT Security Link Portal Account Information Expected to be Issued
CBP officials state that due to the delay in implementing the C-TPAT Security Link Portal, new guidance on the deadlines for C-TPAT participants to access and update their C-TPAT Security Link Portal Account information is expected to be issued once the portal is available.
(CBP had originally stated 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 specified dates or lose their C-TPAT benefits (i.e., before July 1, 2006 for importers and carriers, and before August 1, 2006 for brokers, non-vessel operating common carriers, ocean transportation intermediaries, foreign manufacturers, etc.). See ITT's Online Archives or 04/21/06 news, 06042110, for BP summary of CBP's Q&A on C-TPAT Security Link Portal.)
CBP's Q&A on C-TPAT Security Link Portal (dated April 2006) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/implement_portal/portal_qa.xml.