The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism or CTPAT, is a voluntary partnership program between the private sector and CBP, i.e. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The program was designed to strengthen supply chain security. Its main purpose is to improve the efficiency of customs processes.
The CTPAT program established by the CBP focuses on collaboration between the CBP and private industry. Participants in the CTPAT program have to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of their supply chain, along with the parties that are involved in the movement of goods. The comprehensive risk assessment was conducted to identify the vulnerabilities (if any) and accordingly develop plans to address them.
From reduced cargo inspections, and increased predictability to priority processing, and reliability of the supply chain, CTPAT members enjoy a range of benefits. Along with this, CTPAT plays a major role in customs and border protection. Here are some of the key roles that CTPAT plays in customs and border protection:
Risk Assessment
CTPAT is a program that was established with the objective to prevent the entry of harmful goods into the United States. When it comes to the international supply chain CTPAT plays a critical role in risk assessment. It does so by identifying and mitigating potential security risks. It provides CBP with access to more and more information regarding supply chain security.
Participants of CTPAT provide CBP information regarding their supply chain, along with the details about their transportation providers, suppliers, and other entities involved in the movement of goods. CBP further use this information to identify potential security risks and also take the right measures to address them.
Supply Chain Security Training
CTPAT also plays a major role in providing supply chain security training to its participants. The training is provided to participants so they can easily understand the requirements of the program and develop effective security measures. The supply chain security training includes information on a variety of things such as how to identify vulnerabilities, the types of security risks that the international supply chain is facing, and how to develop as well as implement effective security plans.
By providing training, CTPAT not only just helps its participants to improve their security posture but also helps them reduce the risk of security incidents. The CTPAT certification that they are provided after the training helps them enjoy a variety of benefits.
Trade Facilitation
CTPAT also plays an effective role in trade facilitation. It helps by providing expedited processing for participants. The participants of the CTPAT program are given priority processing for their goods at the border. This further helps participants reduce delays and also helps them improve their supply chain efficiency. Joining a CTPAT program turns out to be best for those companies that have time-sensitive shipments or rely on just-in-time delivery. CTPAT participants are also considered eligible for a variety of other benefits, such as fewer customs fees, reduced inspections, etc.
Security Guidelines
Another role of CTPAT in customs and border protection is to provide security guidelines for the international supply chain as they a CTPAT security criteria which needs to be followed by all the members. It provides guidelines that are designed to enhance security and also prevent dangerous goods from entering the United States. These guidelines include best practices that can be used for the handling as well as storage of goods, the monitoring of facilities, the screening of personnel, and the use of technology to enhance security. The use of these guidelines helps CTPAT participants improve their security posture. It also becomes easy for the CTPAT participants to reduce the risk of security incidents.
Collaboration with Industry
For customs and border protection CTPAT also plays a critical role in collaboration with industry. To improve supply chain security CTPAT helps in maintaining collaboration between the CBP and private industry. The CTPAT program relies on the participation as well as the cooperation of private industry to identify security risks and accordingly develop effective security measures. CTPAT work closely with the industry and helps to improve communication and collaboration between the CBP and its stakeholders This further help them improve border security.
Final Thoughts
CTPAT plays a major in developing and maintaining international partnerships to enhance supply chain security. Importers, brokers, carriers, manufacturers, and other companies that are involved in international trade are considered eligible to apply for CTPAT membership. Joing a CTPAT program and getting CTPAT certification help the participants in securing the supply chain. Joining CTPAT programs make it easy for them to reduce the number of inspections and ship goods to the country without any hassle.
