Final C-TPAT Rules Out

By: R.G. Edmonson

The JOURNAL of COMMERCE ONLINE

WASHINGTON -- Importers that participate in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism have a new set of deadlines to upgrade their security to new voluntary guidelines.

Customs and Border Protection posted a final version of the long-awaited C-TPAT Importer Security Criteria on its Web site on Friday. Customs officials in the past have said that the new criteria will further tighten supply-chain security.

Along with the criteria is a timetable for importer compliance. Importers will have until May 25 to "harden" their physical supply chains through new requirements for container security, premises security and access controls.

By July 25, importers will enhance internal supply-chain management practices, including personnel security, document processing, information technology security and training.

By Sept. 25, importers must have procedures in place for foreign business partners, including documentation that vendors are meeting the C-TPAT criteria.

Todd Owen, C-TPAT director, said that some 40 frequently asked questions will be posted on the Web site on Tuesday. The questions and answers are designed to provide more detail to help importers meet the new criteria. There are currently no published benefits for companies that meet the new standards.

Importers may find the new criteria online at: http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/criteria_importers/