Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)

The Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, now written CTPAT by CBP, is a voluntary government-private sector program authorized by 6 U.S.C. 961 under the SAFE Port Act of 2006, after CBP started it in November 2001. A company that joins agrees to work with CBP to secure its supply chain, close security gaps and meet CBP's minimum security criteria. CBP reports more than 11,400 certified partners, and there is no cost to join.

Who can join

U.S. importers and exporters, U.S./Canada and U.S./Mexico highway carriers, rail and sea carriers, licensed customs brokers, U.S. marine port authority and terminal operators, U.S. freight consolidators, ocean transportation intermediaries and NVOCCs, Mexican and Canadian manufacturers, and Mexican long-haul carriers.

Tiers for importers

• Tier 1 (certified): CBP reviews the application and security profile; benefits are limited, and may include a reduction in the importer's targeting score (6 U.S.C. 964)
• Tier 2 (validated): CBP validates the security measures, including on-site visits in the supply chain, to the extent practicable within a year of certification. Benefits include reduced targeting scores, reduced examinations and priority searches of cargo (6 U.S.C. 965)
• Tier 3: security practices beyond the Tier 2 criteria, such as container security devices and additional advance cargo data, for further reductions in examinations, priority exams and expedited release (6 U.S.C. 966)

Benefits CBP lists

• A reduced number of CBP examinations and front-of-the-line inspections
• Shorter wait times at the border and access to FAST lanes at land borders
• An assigned Supply Chain Security Specialist
• Eligibility for CTPAT Trade Compliance, open to importers at Tier 2 or 3

What it means for an importer

The exam benefit attaches to the member's own entries. An importer that uses C-TPAT certified partners can show CBP a secure supply chain, but to get fewer customs examinations on its entries it has to join in its own right. Accurate, timely ISF data and consistent documents matter either way.

Airlift USA is a C-TPAT certified partner.