U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently posted Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) security guidelines for air carriers.
During the recent meeting of the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection and Related Functions (COAC), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials stated that the new, mandatory Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Internet Application and Communications Portal (referred to as the C-TPAT Security Link Portal) is expected to be available on May 24, 2006. (CBP officials noted that they had originally expected the C-TPAT Security Link Portal to be available in early May 2006.)
In April 2006, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) posted to its Web site six Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Security Guidelines for the following trade sectors:
The Journal of Commerce reports that a new Senate cargo security bill, which includes security provisions for maritime cargo, railroads and public transit operations, has been fashioned by Senate leaders in an apparent challenge to the GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act, which was approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on May 5, 2006. Among other things, this new bill provides for C-TPAT regulations. (JoC Online, dated 05/15/06, www.joc.com )
On May 4, 2006, the House of Representatives amended and passed H.R. 4954, the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act.
In March 2006, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued its new Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) minimum security criteria for highway carriers. CBP had also issued an associated implementation plan, which included a three-phase implementation schedule for existing members.
On May 4, 2006, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4954, the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act by a vote of 421 to 2.
According to Congressional sources, the full House is expected to begin its consideration of the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act (H.R. 4954) on Thursday, May 4, 2006.
On May 2, 2006, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee amended and ordered favorably reported S. 2459, the GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act.
On April 26, 2006, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on "Authorization of Customs and Trade Functions" in order to review the operation of customs and trade functions in the federal government. This review will assist the Finance Committee in preparing legislation to reauthorize those functions.