CBP Posts Overview of 2009 C-TPAT Accomplishments
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an overview of the accomplishments of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) during 2009. According to CBP, highlights of C-TPAT accomplishments during 2009 include strong validation numbers, continued member growth and increased quality assurance.
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(C-TPAT is a voluntary government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships that strengthen and improve overall international supply chains and U.S. border security. Through C-TPAT, CBP asks businesses to ensure the integrity of their security practices and communicate and verify the security guidelines of their business partners within the supply chain.)
Highlights of 2009 C-TPAT Accomplishments
The following are highlights of C-TPAT's accomplishments during 2009:
Exceeded validation target - exceeded its target of 3,200 validations for the year by conducting 3,420 validations involving 4,131 physical site visits in 75 high risk countries throughout the world.
Two thirds of the validations involved formal revalidations (2,244) and the work plan included additional strategies to address risk such as revisiting the original supply chains of certain companies to confirm measures in place, and unannounced visits.
This is the first year in C-TPAT's existence in which the number of revalidations surpassed the initial validations.
Certified 1,237 new members - certified 1,237 new C-TPAT members in 2009, an increase of 9% from 2008, and growing the total number of companies involved in C-TPAT to 9,617.
Suspended, removed 297 members - either suspended or removed a total of 297 members as a result of an incident or failed validation. The number of security incidents decreased by 26% in comparison with 2008; however, the number of failed validations increased by 20% which is attributable in large part to the fact that C-TPAT is holding members to a strict 90 day validation report response timeframe.
Adjudicated 51 appeals of suspensions, removal determination - adjudicated 51 cases in which the member appealed the initial suspension/removal determination. Of those 51 appeals, 32 were denied and 19 were approved and the partners were re-instated into C-TPAT.
Submitted validation reports in average of 45 days - submitted validation reports to the partner on average within 45 days of the date of validation with an enhanced presentation format.
Updated, distributed Best Practices catalog - updated and distributed the Best Practices catalog to all members, which now includes hundreds of new and innovative ways in which members are securing their supply chains.
Conducted regional conferences, workshops - conducted a regional specific conference in Buffalo for Northern Border Highway Carriers and several hands-on workshop sessions at strategic ports of entry on the Southern Border.
CBP press release (dated 02/03/10) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/national/02032010_2.xml.