CBP Extends All Deadlines for Updating Account Information, Etc. in the C-TPAT Security Link Portal to October 1, 2006
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).
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The only change made by CBP in this updated set of Q&A is the extension and consolidation of the deadlines for updating account information, as highlighted below.
(CBP states that it is taking this action due to some initial programming and access issues which arose when the Portal was first implemented, that CBP has worked to resolve.)
C-TPAT participants must access and update C-TPAT Security Link Portal Account information before October 1, 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, before October 1, 2006, and that no further extensions will be granted:
| C-TPAT Enrollment Category | New Security Profile Update Deadline | (Previous Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Importers | before October 1, 2006 | before August 1, 2006 |
| U.S./Canada Highway Carriers | before October 1, 2006 | before August 1, 2006 |
| U.S./Mexico Highway Carriers | before October 1, 2006 | before August 1, 2006 |
| Rail Carriers | before October 1, 2006 | before August 1, 2006 |
| Sea Carriers | before October 1, 2006 | before August 1, 2006 |
| Air Carriers | before October 1, 2006 | before August 1, 2006 |
| NVOCCs, OTIs, and Air Freight Consolidators1 | before October 1, 2006 | before Sept 1, 2006 |
| U.S. Marine Port Authority/Terminal Operators | before October 1, 2006 | before Sept 1, 2006 |
| Foreign Manufacturers | before October 1, 2006 | before Sept 1, 2006 |
| Licensed Brokers | before October 1, 2006 | before Sept 1, 2006) |
1Non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs), Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTIs), and Air Freight Consolidators
Participants lose C-TPAT benefits if they fail to update information before deadline. CBP continues to state that if a C-TPAT participant fails to update the necessary information before the deadline, the participant's application will be considered withdrawn and all C-TPAT benefits, including reduced and expedited CBP exam processing and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lane access, will be removed and the company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.
Information C-TPAT participants can enter, submit, maintain, etc. via the Security Link Portal. 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 that specific implementation and access information will be provided to all current C-TPAT participants via e-mail.
(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 06/01/06 news, 06010605, for BP summary of CBP's May 2006 revision of its Q&A on the C-TPAT Security Link Portal.)
CBP announcement of deadline extension (dated 07/03/06) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/ctpat_deadline.xml.
CBP's revised Q&A on C-TPAT Security Link Portal (dated 07/03/06) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/implement_portal/portal_qa.xml.