C-TPAT

QUESTION: We are looking at obtaining out C-TPAT certification in the U.S.  In order to use the FAST lane, I understand all parties need to be certified (Mexican entity, cartage agent, driver, etc.).  Our Mexican factory is under a shelter program which is certified under mutual recognition program OEA.  The shelter company has approximately 75 […]

QUESTION: Is customs targeting any specific area for this years C-TPAT security profile upload? ========== Answer: As I am sure you have seen over the years, CBP’s SCSS’ are learning much over time and sharing more “best practices” and minimum expectations amongst themselves.  This results overall in a more robust CTPAT program and verifications (trust […]

QUESTION: I am looking for CTPAT guidance on setting up a program for direct delivery to US customers from our plants in Mexico.  Some customers are CTPAT certified, some are not. Questions: 1. Do you require receiving documentation, for example a conveyance inspection report, from your customers once they unload the cargo?  What do you […]

QUESTION: We are a C-TPAT certified US importer with a (related party) plant in Mexico. The plant in Mexico is also C-TPAT certified. About 40% of our annual imports come from this plant. I have just found out that they are 9 months overdue on submitting their C-TPAT security profile. What are the possible consequences […]

QUESTION: We have a Maquila and we are NEEC/AEO certified. 4 years ago we passed an audit in Mexico by CBP. CBP stated that we had a window of time where we could request C-TPAT acceptance; that window of time has passed. Our US plants are not C-TPAT compliant.  If CBP did an audit at […]

QUESTION: Have any of the members had a C-TPAT Export Program validation visit yet? Can you provide details of the scope of the validation and any other important information? We have had multiple foreign validations for C-TPAT import validations, and are very familiar with the questionnaire and scope for that process, so we are looking […]

QUESTION: As part of our new hire orientation, we refer the new hires to the company intranet to read our C-TPAT manual.  We expect them to read it, cover-to-cover and then sign a form validating they have read the manual and will abide by the security practices listed in the manual.  This may sound like […]

QUESTION: My company is a C-TPAT certified importer, but we do not participate in the C-TPAT export program. The majority of our exports are LCL, but we do export a small number of full containers to our international subsidiaries and customers. Currently we are using plastic seals. We do track seal usage. The commodities we […]

QUESTION: Does anyone have data, examples, or insight on an increase in exams for companies NOT in C-TPAT? We are having trouble finding figures online to help in our cost benefit analysis. For reference: $1B Revenue 3000 imports per year Little to no controls/OGA oversite. ************ Answers: My company is not in C-TPAT, and the […]

QUESTION: We are a Tier 2 C-TPAT member. We perform 5-step risk assessments for C-TPAT on 5 of our global suppliers each year. For those suppliers that have already completed the 5-step risk assessments, we have incorporated yearly follow-up inspections by our in-country sourcing agents. Some of our suppliers have already had security audits based […]

QUESTION: We are a midsize importer with over 400 foreign vendors and our CTPAT revalidation is coming due. Our SCSS has informed us of some regions that they may visit. One of our top suppliers in a specified region is refusing to allow the possibility of a CTPAT visit. Unfortunately this happens to be a […]