CBP's New, Mandatory C-TPAT Security Link Portal is Now Available (Revised Deadlines for Updating Account Information, Etc.)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site an updated set of question and answers regarding the implementation of its new, mandatory Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Internet Application and Communications Portal (referred to as the C-TPAT Security Link Portal), which is highlighted below.
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C-TPAT Security Link Portal is now available. The C-TPAT Security Link Portal is available at https://ctpat.cbp.dhs.gov/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fHome.aspx.
CBP states that specific implementation and access information will be provided to all current C-TPAT participants via e-mail.
C-TPAT participants must access and update C-TPAT Security Link Portal Account information by either August or September 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:
(These following dates reflect a one month extension from CBP's previously announced deadlines of July 1, 2006 and August 1, 2006.)
| C-TPAT Enrollment Category | Security Profile Update Due |
|---|---|
| Importers | before August 1, 2006 |
| U.S./Canada Highway Carriers | before August 1, 2006 |
| U.S./Mexico Highway Carriers | before August 1, 2006 |
| Rail Carriers | before August 1, 2006 |
| Sea Carriers | before August 1, 2006 |
| Air Carriers | before August 1, 2006 |
| NVOCCs, OTIs, and Air Freight Consolidators1 | before September 1, 2006 |
| U.S. Marine Port Authority/Terminal Operators | before September 1, 2006 |
| Foreign Manufacturers | before September 1, 2006 |
| Licensed Brokers | before September 1, 2006 |
1Non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs), Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTIs), and Air Freight Consolidators
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 with a valid e-mail address registered with CBP C-TPAT.
(CBP's Q&A had previously stated that one of the POC must be a company officer or employee.)
Participants lose C-TPAT benefits if they fail to update information by deadline. CBP continues to state 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's Instructions for the C-TPAT Security Link Portal
CBP has also posted to its Web site a PowerPoint presentation with instructions for the C-TPAT Security Link Portal. This presentation, entitled "C-TPAT Security Link Portal Overview" covers topics such as login, home screen, partner, documents, discussion, my account, and logout.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 04/21/06 news, 06042110, for BP summary of CBP's original Q&A on the C-TPAT Security Link Portal.
See ITT's Online Archives or 05/18/06 news, 06051805, for BP summary of the announcement by CBP officials at the May 2006 meeting of the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection and Related Functions (COAC) that the C-TPAT Security Link Portal was expected to be available on May 24, 2006.)
CBP's revised Q&A on C-TPAT Security Link Portal (dated 05/26/06) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/implement_portal/portal_qa.xml.
CBP's instructions for the C-TPAT Security Link Portal (dated 05/26/06) available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/implement_portal/sec_link_portal.ctt/sec_link_portal.ppt.
BP Note
CBP sources have confirmed that as the C-TPAT Security Link Portal is now operational, CBP is again accepting online C-TPAT applications. See future issue of ITT for details.