Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, announced recently that U.S. Customs and Border Protection will soon establish a Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism field office at the World Trade Bridge port of entry in Laredo, Texas. Activities for this office will include the review of CTPAT applications, assessment of eligibility requirements, certification and validation of new members, and continued maintenance of accounts and revalidation of CTPAT members.
Cuellar noted that in fiscal year 2023, 69 percent of the $211 billion import value processed at the port of Laredo was through trade partnerships with CTPAT entities.
Now in its 23rd year, CTPAT has more than 11,400 members accounting for more than half (by value) of all cargo imported into the U.S., including importers, exporters, customs brokers, carriers, ocean transportation intermediaries, and others. The Senate approved last year a bill to create a pilot program allowing third-party logistics providers to participate as well, and similar legislation has been introduced in the House.
The program includes CTPAT Security, in which partners take steps to ensure supply chain security, and CTPAT Trade Compliance, which allows importers to assume responsibility for monitoring their own compliance with trade laws and regulations. To be approved, companies must meet minimum security criteria across 12 categories, including risk assessment, business partners, procedural and physical security, and cyber security. In return, participants receive benefits that can reduce regulatory burdens and mitigate enforcement actions.
For more information on how participating in CTPAT may benefit your business, please contact attorney Lenny Feldman via email or at (305) 894-1011.
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