Updated C-TPAT Minimum Security Criteria for Foreign Manufacturers (Applies to Mexico, Canada, Etc.)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an updated version of its Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) minimum security criteria for foreign manufacturers.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
C-TPAT Is Open to Foreign Manufacturers in Mexico, Canada, & by Invitation
C-TPAT for foreign manufacturers is open to manufacturers in Mexico and Canada, and to other foreign manufacturers by invitation only. (According to CBP sources, Canadian manufacturers have been eligible since 2006; however, documents at that time did not indicate this.)
Footnotes Added Regarding Security Measures Based on Risk
CBP's minimum security criteria have been updated to include two similar footnotes regarding security measures based on risk.
The footnotes state that foreign manufacturers shall have a documented and verifiable process for determining risk throughout their supply chains based on their business model (i.e., volume, country of origin, routing, C-TPAT membership, potential terrorist threat via open source information, having inadequate security, past security incidents, etc.).
Corrected Lighting Information Added to Physical Security Section
CBP's minimum security criteria was also updated to include correct information regarding lighting (which is found under the "Physical Security" section). The lighting information now reads that "Adequate lighting must be provided inside and outside the facility including the following areas: entrances and exits, cargo handling and storage areas, fence lines and parking areas."
(Previously, the lighting subsection was incorrectly filled with information regarding alarm systems and video surveillance cameras.)
Minimum Security Criteria Posted in Multiple Languages
CBP's C-TPAT minimum security criteria for foreign manufacturers continues to be available in the following languages:
English
Arabic
Chinese
Dutch
German
Italian
Portuguese
Thai
Spanish
French
It appears as if the minimum security criteria in each foreign language include the additional footnotes and correction.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 09/01/06 news, 06090110 and 06090115, for BP summary of the original English C-TPAT minimum security criteria for foreign manufacturers and the implementation plan for foreign manufacturers, respectively.)
Foreign manufacturers C-TPAT minimum security criteria (English version dated 10/01/07, most others reposted on 9/27/07 or 10/01/07) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/security_criteria/sec_criteria_foreign_mfc/ and at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/criteria/
CBP notice on C-TPAT for foreign manufacturers (which lists both Mexico and Canada as eligible) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/fast/us_mexico/mexico_manuf/foreign_manuf.xml