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Customs trade partnership against terrorism (Ctpat™)

Customs and Border Protection's

C-TPAT™ is a voluntary public private partnership programme aimed towards systematically eliminating terror interface with trade emanating through the supply chain to enter into the US Border. It specifies requirements and guidelines to the multi modal transport infrastructure to guard against attempts to infilter terror into the US Border.

Industry and trade partners all over the world are now looking C-TPAT™ as a qualification scheme to assure its supply chain security and thereby maintain their business. Further the 3PL partners view this as a consolidation exercise to expand their market share by getting certified to C-TPAT™.


C-TPAT™ certification is applicable to manufacturers, supply chain and third-party logistics partners such as Warehouses, Container Freight Stations Inland Container Depots, Freight Carriers, etc. The overall ail to ensure the supply chain security measures:


  • Consistently meet and strive to exceed the C-TPAT™ minimum security criteria
  • Incorporate senior management support
  • Have written and verifiable process that govern their use
  • Employ a system of checks and balances
  • Have measures in place to ensure continuity

Security Controls and their depth directly commensurate with the propensity of security vulnerabilities and risks of the partner. Hence it may vary amongst similar organisations.

C-TPAT Benefits

Some of the benefits of the program include:


  • Reduced number of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) examinations
  • Front of the line inspections
  • Possible exemption from Stratified Exams
  • Shorter wait times at the border
C-TPAT Training
  • Assignment of a Supply Chain Security Specialist to the company
  • Access to the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Lanes at the land borders
  • Access to the C-TPAT™ web-based Portal system and a library of training materials
  • Possibility of enjoying additional benefits by being recognized as a trusted trade Partner by foreign Customs administrations that have signed Mutual Recognition with the United States
  • Eligibility for other U.S. Government pilot programmes, such as the Food and Drug Administration’s Secure Supply Chain programme
  • Business resumption priority following a natural disaster or terrorist attack
  • Importer eligibility to participate in the Importer Self-Assessment Program (ISA)
  • Priority consideration at CBP’s industry-focused Centres of Excellence and Expertise

Minimum Security Criteria

  • Business Partner Security
  • Conveyance / Container / Trailer Security & Inspection
  • Physical Access Control
  • Personnel Security
  • Procedural Security
  • Physical Security
  • Security Training & Threat Awareness
  • Information Technology Security

Understanding the Security Criteria

  • Business Partner Security The security of the supply chain is as strong as its weakest link! Security Assessment of the suppliers and service providers (inbound & outbound) and their qualification becomes a mandatory-criteria for their selection and engagement. Hence, the implementation is effective through engagement, consultation and participation of the business partners. Organisation is required to identify its business partners, their processes, risks and mitigation controls and evaluate against internal standards of acceptance of security risks with the partner.
    Written and verifiable processes for the screening and selection of business partners including foreign consolidators, customers, contractors, carriers, and vendors. Ensure that contracted companies commit to C-TPAT™ Security Guidelines most closely associated with the particular enrolment sector. Periodically review the performance to detect weakness or potential weaknesses in security. Must refrain from subcontracting to non C-TPAT™ participants beyond a second party or “double brokering”. Ensure that other providers within their supply chain also do the same. Further, the extent of internal controls would depend upon those exercised at the business partners’ end.
  • Conveyance / Container / Trailer Security & Inspection: Most part of the time of operation, it is outside the control of the organisation and hence more vulnerable to security threats. Organisations are required to map the processes of conveyance, identify the security risks and establish adequate controls to prevent their occurrence and deter any such attempts. This could be done through adoption of electronic surveillance and alert technology either imbedded or attached. However, in all cases, the container / carrier must be secured by ISO/PAS 17712 certified locks & seals to protect the integrity.
    Ensure that all contracted service providers have procedures in place to maintain container integrity. Protect against the introduction of unauthorized material and/or persons. At point of stuffing, procedures must be in place to properly seal and maintain the integrity of the shipping containers with a high security seal. Verify the physical integrity of the container structure prior to stuffing, to include the reliability of the locking mechanisms. A seven-point inspection process is recommended for all containers prior to stuffing. Containers must be stored in a secure area to prevent unauthorized access and/or manipulation. Procedures must be in place for reporting and neutralizing unauthorised entry into containers or container storage areas.
  • Physical Access Control: It is through the physical access a security threat is introduced into the container / carrier. Organisation shall establish access controls on need basis, irrespective of the hierarch or basis of employment or business association. This shall also include every form of access to the facility, cargo, information, etc.
    Access controls prevent unauthorised entry to facilities, maintain control of employees and visitors and protect company assets. Access controls must include the positive identification of all employees, visitors and vendors at all points of entry. Employees should only be given access to those secure areas needed for the performance of their duties. Company management or security personnel must adequately control the issuance and removal of employee, visitor and vendor identification badges. Procedures for the issuance, removal and changing of access devices (e.g. keys, key cards, etc.) must be documented. Procedures must be in place to identify, challenge and remove unauthorized / unidentified persons.
  • Personnel Security: All employees and known visitors must have their verification done. A mechanism to identify and verify unknown visitors be established and effectively implemented. Personnel leaving the organisation shall be barred from any access to internal information and with the supply chain partners post separation.
    Processes must be in place to screen prospective employees and to periodically check current employees. Maintain a current permanent employee list (foreign and domestic), which includes the name, date of birth, national identification number, position held. Application information, such as employment history and references must be verified prior to employment. Background checks and investigations should be conducted for prospective employees. Periodic checks and reinvestigations should be performed based on cause and/or the sensitivity of the employee’s position. Companies must have procedures in place to remove identification; facility and system access for terminated employees.
  • Procedural Security: Ensure business partners develop security processes and procedures in line with C-TPAT™. Enhance the integrity of the shipment at point of origin. Required to indicate any certification obtained in a supply chain security program being administered by foreign Customs Administration. Must have documented procedures for screening and selection of service provider for validity, financial soundness, ability to meet contractual requirements, and the ability to identify and correct security deficiencies as needed. Service Provider procedures should utilise a risk-based process as determined by an internal management team. Screen prospective customers with the same criteria.
    Security measures in place must ensure the integrity and security of processes are relevant to risks foreseen. All documentation used in the movement of merchandise / cargo is legible, complete, accurate and protected against the exchange, loss or introduction of erroneous information. Documentation control must include safeguarding computer access and information. Procedures must be in place to ensure that information received from business partners abroad is reported accurately and timely. Arriving cargo should be reconciled against information on the cargo manifest. Cargo weights, marks and labels, piece or carton count should be verified. Departing cargo should be checked against purchase or delivery orders. Drivers delivering or receiving cargo must be positively identified before cargo is received or released. All shortages, overages and other significant discrepancies or anomalies must be resolved and/or investigated appropriately. Appropriate law enforcement agencies must be notified if illegal or suspicious activities are detected.
  • Physical Security: The facility must be protected from intrusion or uncontrolled escape of personnel, goods and vehicles. This may include fencing, manually or electronically controlled entry / exit gates, patrol, restrain and restriction of access.
    Cargo handling and storage facilities must have physical barriers and deterrents that guard against unauthorised access. Perimeter fencing should enclose the areas around cargo handling and storage facilities. All fencing must be regularly inspected for integrity and damage. Gates through which vehicles and/or personnel enter or exit must be manned and/or monitored. The number of gates should be kept to the minimum necessary for proper access and safety. Private passenger vehicles should be prohibited from parking in or adjacent to cargo handling and storage areas.
  • Security Training & Threat Awareness: Security measures in place must ensure the integrity and security of processes is relevant to risks foreseen. All documentation used in the movement of merchandise / cargo is legible, complete, accurate and protected against the exchange, loss or introduction of erroneous information. Appropriate law enforcement agencies must be notified if illegal or suspicious activities are detected.
  • Information Technology Security: Information Technology (IT) integrity must be maintained to protect data from unauthorized access or manipulation. Automated systems must use individually assigned accounts that require a periodic change of password. IT security policies, procedures and standards must be in place and provided to employees in the form of training. A system must be in place to identify the abuse of IT including improper access, tampering or the altering of business data. All system violators must be subject to appropriate disciplinary actions for abuse.

Our Services

  • Gap Assessment: An Initial Assessment of the facility, its infrastructure, procedures, practices, personnel, controls and the surroundings to identify the gaps and opportunities in complying with the security criteria.
  • Defining the Controls: Guide through brainstorming and techno-commercial discussions to establish requisite controls and to benchmark against best practices.
  • Documentation: Provide guidelines, document and elaborate C-TPAT™ specific controls as applicable to the facility and business partners.
  • Training & Familiarisation: Conduct C-TPAT™ specific training addressing the security criteria, threat perception, vulnerabilities, controls, best practices and create an awareness amongst all those involved in the terminal and specific to their role in effective implementation and compliance.
  • Readiness Review: Conduct readiness review assessments, validating the adequacy and effectiveness of the implemented controls and their preparedness for the validation assessment by an independent agency.
  • Facilitation for Validation: Support, assist and guide through the validation process including the closure of observations through definitive controls.

Contact us for an executive presentation on the C-TPAT™ overview and our capabilities and case studies of successful implementation and certification of C-TPAT™.


Contact us for an executive presentation at CTPAT@sbsact.com Visit our website www.sbsact.com for knowing more about our services.

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