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Samuel Shapiro & Company, Inc. has been certified as a full participant in the US Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) since April, 2003. We are pleased to announce that, as of October 2007, Shapiro has also been awarded C-TPAT certified status as a consolidator, which encompasses our role as an NVOCC, ocean transportation intermediary, and air freight consolidator.

Our Company is committed to continuous efforts of securing our operations against possible compromise, and of maintaining a high level of compliance in Customs-related areas. We encourage all of our business partners to consider enrolling in this program. As a benefit for participating, Customs has committed to providing "fast-lane" processing of your transactions.

In the wake of the recent world events and the sudden increased awareness of the need for additional security measures and procedures to protect our national borders, the U.S. Customs Service has initiated a voluntary program called the Customs – Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).

What is C-TPAT?

  • Committed partnership between U.S. Customs and the import trade community to reduce threat risks.

What is the C-TPAT objective?

    • To secure our national borders against terrorism.
    • To strengthen and fortify the import supply chain against terrorism.
    • To balance needs for increased security measures in conjunction with a reduction in unnecessary delays for legitimate and compliant trade.

What are the benefits of participation?

    • Provides an opportunity to become pro-active in securing our nation’s borders.
    • Reduces the risks associated with your shipments.
    • Secures the supply-chain for your employees, suppliers, and customers in the worldwide fight against terrorism.
    • Allows Customs to focus on true risk elements of concern.
    • Reduces container inspections and results in the assignment of a Customs Account Manager to your company.
    • Provides access to a complete C-TPAT membership list, which allows you to exchange ideas and best practices.
    • Increases your chances to be eligible for future Customs programs, which are likely to depend on the C-TPAT participation.

What is required to participate?

    • Must submit application to Customs and obtain approval in order to participate.
    • Conduct a comprehensive self-assessment of your supply chain security using C-TPAT security guidelines, which include the following areas: Business Partners Requirements, Container Security, Container Inspection, Physical Access Controls, Personnel Security, Procedural Security, Security Training and Threat Awareness, and Information Technology Security.
    • Submit a supply chain security questionnaire to Customs.
    • Develop and implement a program to enhance security where you have control throughout the supply chain.
    • Communicate your C-TPAT guidelines in areas where you do not have control, to other companies in your supply chain that do have control and work toward building secure relationships with these companies.

Customs encourages various business partners within the importing community to work collaboratively in their fight against terrorism by evaluating and strengthening their supply chains. Joint cooperation is crucial between all parties involved-- importers, brokers, manufacturers, warehouse operators, air-carriers, ocean-carriers, and land-carriers. The program requires importers to ensure the integrity of their security practices and to communicate security guidelines to their business partners at each segment of that supply chain-- production, transportation, importation, and distribution. The hope is that these measures will work to secure our borders against the threat of terrorism.

C-TPAT members have the following benefits (not all-inclusive list):  

  • A reduced number of inspections and reduced border wait times:

* Tier 1 - For certified members of C-TPAT.  Targeting score for Customs examination is lowered. C-TPAT members have 5-8 times fewer exams than non C-TPAT. Tier 1 members also have access to FAST lanes on the land borders.

* Tier 2 - For certified and validated members of C-TPAT.  Targeting score for Customs examination is further lowered resulting in even fewer exams.  If you shipment is selected for examination, your container will receive priority and move to the front of the line.

* Tier 3 - When Customs determines during validation that an importer exceeds the minimum security standards and has adopted best practices regarding supply chain security - a true ‘green lane’ with no security inspections and infrequent random inspections. Again, when you do have an inspection, your container receives priority and moves to the front of the line.

    • An assigned Customs Supply Chain Security Specialist;
    • Access to the C-TPAT membership list;
    • Certified C-TPAT importers are eligible for the Importer Self-Assessment Program (ISA) which results in removal from the pool for Focused Assessment
    • C-TPAT members receive consideration for penalty mitigation for Bio-Terrorism Act related penalties

U.S. Customs C-TPAT Fact Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions

Samuel Shapiro & Company, Inc. can help you throughout the entire C-TPAT application process.  Our Consulting team gathers all pertinent security information from your organization, drafts and submits your complete C-TPAT application to Customs.  We also provide on-site training on how to handle your company’s C-TPAT application on your own. Another option is to purchase Shapiro’s C-TPAT workbook, which contains all the documentation and templates you need to successfully complete and submit your C-TPAT application on your own.  For more information, please contact our Consulting department at 800.695.9465 x 290 or consulting@shapiro.com.