Reminder - Account Information, Etc. in the C-TPAT Security Link Portal Must be Updated Before October 1, 2006
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has previously posted to its Web site information on 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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C-TPAT participants must access and update C-TPAT Security Link Portal Account information before October 1, 2006 deadline. According to CBP, 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.
Participants may/will lose C-TPAT benefits if they fail to update information before deadline. In a recent reminder, CBP states that the failure to comply with the October 1, 2006 deadline may result in the suspension of C-TPAT benefits.
However, in July 2006, CBP stated that if a C-TPAT participant fails to update the necessary information before October 1, 2006, the participant's application will be considered withdrawn and all C-TPAT benefits, including reduced and expedited CBP exam processing and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lane access, will be removed and the company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.
CBP sources explain that as of September 27, 2006, a final determination as to whether participants would lose C-TPAT benefits if they fail to update their Portal Account information before October 1, 2006 has not been made, and CBP is asking companies to meet the deadline so they don't risk the loss of benefits.
(According to previous CBP statements, the C-TPAT Security Link Portal is a secure, full-service, 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 has stated that specific implementation and access information will be provided to all current C-TPAT participants via e-mail.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 09/20/06 news, 06092005, for prior BP reminder on October 1, 2006 deadline for updating account information, etc in the C-TPAT Security Link Portal.)
CBP notice on Deadline for Entering Supply Chain Security Profiles (undated) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/profile_deadlines.xml
CBP's 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