C-TPAT Exporter Entity Program

May 13, 2015 CBP Launches C-TPAT Exporter Entity program U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) recently announced that effective May 17, 2015, U.S. exporters will be eligible to participate in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (“C-TPAT”) Exporter Entity program.  C-TPAT began as a voluntary program in which importers implement enhanced security measures in their supply chain in exchange for incentives, such as priority service and the expedited processing of shipments.  CBP created the program in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, in order to encourage importers to reduce vulnerabilities in the supply chain.  Participants have met certain criteria to ensure adequate protection of their shipments, allowing CBP to divert its resources to high-risk or unknown importers. Based on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations (COAC), CBP is now introducing an exporter entity to C-TPAT, with the purpose of supporting export growth and increasing the competiveness of U.S. businesses.  The benefits will include prioritized export shipments, reduced examinations, access to an assigned C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Specialist, and global security partnerships.  There is no cost to join, but exporters must meet the following eligibility requirements: Be an active U.S. Exporter out of the United States Have a business office staffed in the U.S. Be an active U.S. Exporter with a documentable Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS) number Have a documented export security program and a designated officer or manager who will act as the C-TPAT program main point of contact Commit to maintaining the C-TPAT supply chain security criteria Create and provide CBP with a C-TPAT supply chain security profile which identifies how the exporter will execute internal policy to meet the C-TPAT exporter security criteria Have an acceptable level of compliance for export reporting for the latest 12-month period and be in good standing with other U.S. regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of the Treasury, etc. For more information on the C-TPAT Exporter Entity program, including access to the application, please click here.  For specific questions, please contact CBP via email atIndustry.partnership@dhs.gov or by telephone at 202-344-1180.