U.S., NZ Sign Letter on Expansion of C-TPAT Mutual Recognition
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin and New Zealand Ambassador to the U.S. Mike Moore have signed four agreements that CBP states will advance trade and security between their nations, including one on CBP’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).
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Moore and Bersin Sign Letter on Tier 2 C-TPAT Status for NZ Program, Etc.
According to CBP, Moore and Bersin signed:
NZ program first to get Tier 2 C-TPAT status. Letters on tier 2 status for New Zealand Secure Export Scheme members in CBP’s C-TPAT program. CBP states this is the first time that another government’s secure-supply-chain program has merited that level of CBP recognition.1 (CBP and New Zealand signed a C-TPAT Mutual Recognition Arrangement in June 2007.)
Arrangement for ATS-Global.A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Project Arrangement concerning the Automated Targeting System-Global.
MOU on ATS-Global for passengers.A memorandum of cooperation regarding the Automated Targeting System-Global pilot for passenger risk assessment.
MOC to exchange passenger information.A memorandum of cooperation on the exchange of passenger information between the New Zealand Customs Service’s Integrated Targeting Operations Centre and the CBP National Targeting Center-Passenger.
Granting of Tier 2 C-TPAT Status to Provide Greater Certainty on Goods
The granting of tier 2 C-TPAT status to New Zealand business members of the Secure Exports Scheme translates into generally greater certainty about the movement of their goods to U.S. markets. Both leaders communicated optimism about the agreements’ impact on security and trade.
Bersin Hopes to Sign Similar Agreements with Other Countries
At the signing ceremony, Bersin described the agreements as “path-breaking” and voiced his hope that they would set a precedent for similar agreements with other countries.
1Certified C-TPAT companies that successfully undergo a validation are eligible to receive Tier 2 status (if minimum security criteria are met) and to receive the associated benefits.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 07/16/07 news, 07071615, for BP summary of the signing of the U.S.-New Zealand MRA.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/12/10 news, 10031210, for BP summary of CBP update on C-TPAT Mutual Recognition.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/03/10 news, 10030305, for BP summary of CBP officials discussing C-TPAT validations at the February 2010 COAC meeting.)