C-TPAT is a voluntary programme administered by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). CBP determines membership and conducts validation. Consulting or a customer-requested assessment does not itself confer membership; check current criteria for the relevant business entity.

What is C-TPAT?

C-TPAT stands for Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism.

A voluntary customs–business partnership to strengthen supply chain and border security

C-TPAT is a voluntary partnership between the US government and businesses to improve international supply chain security and US border security. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) asks participating businesses to maintain effective security practices and communicate and verify relevant requirements with their supply chain partners.

CBP — C-TPAT

CBP — C-TPAT introductory video

Benefits of C-TPAT

Reducing risks with C-TPAT

C-TPAT partners work with the US government to strengthen security, identify vulnerabilities and take corrective action to reduce supply chain risks.

Potential programme benefits include:

• Fewer CBP examinations
• Priority placement in examination queues
• Possible exemption from stratified examinations
• Shorter border waiting times
• Assignment of a Supply Chain Security Specialist
• Access to Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lanes at land borders
• Access to the C-TPAT portal and training materials
• Potential recognition-related benefits from foreign customs administrations with US mutual recognition arrangements
• Eligibility for other US government pilot programmes, subject to their requirements, such as the FDA Secure Supply Chain programme
• Priority in resuming business after a natural disaster or terrorist attack
• Eligible importers may apply for the CTPAT Trade Compliance programme; the original article referred to the former Importer Self-Assessment (ISA) programme
• Priority consideration at CBP’s industry-focused Centers of Excellence and Expertise

Benefits are conditional on programme requirements and membership status; they do not guarantee exemption from all examinations or automatic customs clearance.

Selected C-TPAT consulting projects

ITVC Global has provided C-TPAT-related consulting for a range of clients. The following are examples of projects presented in the original article:

C-TPAT consulting at GSLine (Green Star Shipping Company Limited)

C-TPAT consulting at GSLine (Green Star Shipping Company Limited). Original project photograph.

Text on the training screen: Green Star Shipping Company Limited — General Security and Threat Awareness Training, Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).

C-TPAT consulting at Chemilens Vietnam Joint Stock Company

C-TPAT consulting at Chemilens Vietnam Joint Stock Company. Original project photograph.

C-TPAT consulting at ADHES Vietnam Packaging Technology Company Limited

C-TPAT consulting at ADHES Vietnam Packaging Technology Company Limited. Original project photograph.

C-TPAT requirements and reference downloads

The applicable security requirements depend on the company’s role in the supply chain.

CTPAT Minimum Security Criteria and Guidelines: each business category must use the corresponding criteria. Original download links are provided below.

The original attachments are 2019 editions; consult current CBP requirements before use.

Air Carriers — 2019

Consolidators (Air Freight Consolidators, Ocean Transport Intermediaries, and Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCC)) — 2019

Customs Brokers — 2019

Exporters — 2019

Foreign Manufacturers — 2019

Highway Carriers — 2019

Importers — 2019

Long Haul Carriers in Mexico — 2019

Marine Port Authority and Terminal Operators — 2019

Rail Carriers — 2019

Sea Carriers — 2019

Third Party Logistics Providers (3PL) — 2019

Minimum security criteria for foreign manufacturers — historical overview

The explanation below retains the historical framework in the original article; the linked files are 2019 editions. This overview does not replace current CBP criteria. Confirm the business category, applicable version and mandatory versus recommended provisions before implementation.

Business partner requirements

Security procedures, point of origin and participation in foreign customs supply chain security programmes

Container and trailer security

Container and trailer inspections, seals and secure storage

Physical access controls

Employees, visitors, deliveries and mail, and procedures for unauthorized persons

Personnel security

Pre-employment verification, background checks and employment termination procedures

Procedural security

Documentation, manifests, shipping, receiving and cargo discrepancies

Physical security

Fencing, gates, parking, building integrity, locks and keys, lighting, alarms and video surveillance

Information technology security

Password protection and access accountability

Security training and threat awareness

Training on security, threats and risks, including human trafficking and bonded labour

C-TPAT membership eligibility

The 12 categories listed in the original article:

1. Air carriers
2. Consolidators: air freight consolidators, ocean transportation intermediaries and non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs)
3. Customs brokers
4. Exporters
5. Foreign manufacturers
6. Highway carriers
7. US importers
8. Mexican long-haul highway carriers
9. Marine port authorities and terminal operators
10. Rail carriers
11. Sea carriers
12. Third-party logistics providers (3PLs)

Eligibility depends on business type and geography. CBP’s foreign manufacturer document specifies active companies incorporated in Mexico or Canada. A supplier in Vietnam may need to implement and undergo assessment of customer security requirements, but that outcome does not automatically confer C-TPAT membership.

Other businesses in US-bound supply chains may need to meet a customer’s C-TPAT-related security requirements and undergo a customer or second-party assessment. Such an assessment does not automatically make the supplier a certified C-TPAT member.

CBP — Foreign Manufacturer Eligibility Requirements