U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted to its Web site the C-TPAT eligibility requirements, implementation plan, and minimum security criteria for third party logistics providers (3PLs). (C-TPAT eligibility requirements, implementation plan, and minimum security criteria for 3PLs, posted 09/30/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/cargo_security/ctpat/third_party/.)
In August 2008, U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a general notice on the statutory requirement that all maritime containers in transit to the U.S. that arrive by vessel at a port of entry in the U.S. on or after October 15, 2008, be sealed in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization Publicly Available Specification (ISO/PAS) 177121 for mechanical seals.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted to its Unified Business Resumption Messaging Web site messages providing a port status update in the wake of Hurricane Ike. The most recent message was issued at 5:00 p.m. EST on September 19, 2008. In addition, CBP issued an alert on Hurricane Ike port closures (as of 9:00 a.m. EST on September 22, 2008). According to the alert, the Presidio port of entry and Galveston Seaport are closed. CBP has also issued a UBRM message at 5:00 p.m. EST on September 19, 2008 stating that due to flooding, the Presidio, Texas port of entry is closed. CBP has also updated its Web page entitled, "CBP Responds to Hurricane Ike." In addition, CBP has issued a news release stating that it is continuing Ike recovery missions and resuming limited Houston Seaport operations. (Web sites, documents hyperlinked)
The Government Accountability Office has issued its report to congressional requestors entitled "Supply Chain Security: CBP Works with International Entities to Promote Global Customs Security Standards and Initiatives, but Challenges Remain," which details U.S. Customs and Border Protection's efforts related to international customs security standards.
During the August 7, 2008 meeting of the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (COAC), CBP officials discussed various issues related to CBP's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program, highlights of which are provided below:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice and press releases announcing that it will hold its 9th annual Trade Symposium on October 29-31, 2008 at the JW Marriott in Washington, DC.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a statement regarding the status of the Secure Freight Initiative 100% scanning pilot it had planned in Singapore. CBP states that it has been working with several foreign ports to assess the feasibility and challenges of 100% security scanning of containers under the SFI pilot1.
During the August 7, 2008 meeting of the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (COAC), CBP officials discussed a variety of issues related to Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), including progress that has been made toward achieving mutual recognition between CBP's C-TPAT program and other countries' supply chain security programs.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice announcing that the next meeting of the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (COAC) 1 will be held on August 7, 2008 in Seattle, WA.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a notice entitled Notice of Examination: October 2008 Customs Broker License Examination, which announces that the next customs broker license exam will be held on Monday, October 6, 2008.