What is C-TPAT Certification?

C-TPAT certification stands for Customers-Trade Partnership against Terrorism. This compliance is required for supply chain management for firms sending goods into the US. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) brought out this certification to ensure that security compliance is maintained for private sector companies that supply/ import goods and services in America.

This certification was introduced in 2001 with several industrial participants to ensure compliance is maintained under several anti-terrorist laws.  The C-TPAT Certification would apply to producers of goods and services within the USA. It would also apply to goods that are produced outside the USA. However, this certification is not a mandatory requirement for companies. It has been stressed that such certification is taken by private companies voluntarily.

Benefits of having the C-TPAT Certification

• Improved Compliance against terrorism and risk compliance.
• Border Control Reduction for Goods which are supplied within the USA.
• Companies can attend customs and border protection seminars that are conducted.
• Compliance with the Certification will ensure that there are sufficient levels of appeals when it comes to the reduction of penalties.
• Priority Status of Applications related to Customs and Border Protection Protocols.
• Mutual Recognition amongst other exporters taking part in the CBP.

Regulatory Authority for the C-TPAT Certification

The primary regulatory authority for C-TPAT Certification is the US Customs and Border Protection.  The C-TPAT certification allows the exporter to secure the benefits of different programs provided by other customs and border protection authorities.

Which Entities can use the C-TPAT Certification?

The following entities can use the certification:

Minimum Eligibility and Security Criteria for C-TPAT Certification

As the certification is voluntary, the requirements for the C-TPAT are assessed on a case to case basis. However, the following criteria have to be sufficed by the application for the certification:

Air-Way Carriers

• Ensure that the carrier has transferred or carried goods into the USA within the last year.
• Have an IATA code (International Air Transport Association Code).
• Have an international carrier bond which is registered with the Customs and Border Protection.
• Have an officer who is responsible for the requirements of the C-TPAT Certification.
• Sign the C-TPAT agreement to participate in different programs offered by the C-TPAT as part of the process and the program.
• Maintain an informative process of the supply chain program in the C-TPAT portal.
• The applicant must not have any form of debts with any international or domestic authority when making such an application. The applicant must also satisfy that no form of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings is present. Apart from this, the applicant must also meet that no form of a criminal conviction is against them.

Air Carrier, Ocean Carrier, and Non-Vessel Operation Common Carriers

• They must be in operations.
• They must have a registered business office in the USA.
• The applicant must have an active Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) organization number, apart from having the IATA number.
• The applicant must have an International Bond for carrier license.
• The applicant must have an officer who is responsible for the requirements of the C-TPAT Certification.
• Sign the C-TPAT agreement to participate in different programs offered by the C-TPAT as part of the process and the program.
• Maintain an informative process of the supply chain program in the C-TPAT portal.
• The applicant must not have any form of debts with any international or domestic authority when making such an application. The applicant must also satisfy that no form of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings is present. Apart from this, the applicant must also satisfy that no form of a criminal conviction is against them.

Customs Brokers

• The Customs Broker should have a registered physical office in the USA, carrying out operations in the past year.
• The Custom broker should have an active registered custom broker license and file code of record ID. The following format is required for the above: ##### Customs Broker’s License Serial Number / ### Filer Code.
• The applicant must have an officer who is responsible for the requirements of the C-TPAT Certification.
• Sign the C-TPAT agreement to participate in different programs offered by the C-TPAT as part of the process and the program.
• Maintain an informative process of the supply chain program in the C-TPAT portal.
• The applicant must not have any form of debts with any international or domestic authority when making such an application. The applicant must also satisfy that no form of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings is present. Apart from this, the applicant must also satisfy that no form of a criminal conviction is against them.

Exporters

• Exporters must show cause that they are carrying out exports in the USA.
• Exporters must have a registered business office within the USA.
• Exporters must have an active Employer Identification Number (EIN) or a Valid Dun and Bradstreet Number (DUNS).
• The applicant must have active compliance when it comes to exporting goods for the past 12 months. Apart from this, the exporter must also have a good standing with the US Customs and Border Protection Authority.
• Sign the C-TPAT agreement to participate in different programs offered by the C-TPAT as part of the process and the program.
• Maintain an informative process of the supply chain program in the C-TPAT portal.
• The applicant must not have any form of debts with any international or domestic authority when making such an application. The applicant must also satisfy that no form of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings is present. Apart from this, the applicant must also satisfy that no form of criminal convictions is against them.

Foreign Manufacturers

• The applicant must be a manufacturer that is registered and has business operations either in Canada or Mexico.
• The Certificate of Incorporation must be provided if asked by the authority for securing the C-TPAT Certification.
• The Applicant must also possess a US Customs and Border Protection Manufacturing Identity Number (MID).
• If applicable, the full name of the office, along with the activities that are carried out by the office must be provided.
• Mexican companies should provide information about the RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes) provided by the Mexican Tax Administration Service.
• RFC is a 12 digital number for companies and partnerships. However, for sole proprietorships and entrepreneur business, the number is a 13 digit number.
• The MID number must be constituted so that it includes the name and address where the products and goods originate.
• The applicant must have the respective "C-TPAT Certificate" Signed along with the partnership agreement that the applicant has taken this initiative to voluntarily participate in such a program.
• The applicant must have a complete profile regarding the supply chain requirement in the C-TPAT portal. This must also state how the foreign manufacturer meets the requirements of the MSC.
• The applicant must not have any form of debts with any international or domestic authority when making such an application. The applicant must also satisfy that no form of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings is present.

Highway Carriers

• Highway Carriers have to satisfy the same eligibility requirements as that of foreign manufacturers.
• If the Highway carriers are Mexican, then the SAT code requirement must be met according to the prescribed format, which is followed by companies, partnerships, and other types of entities.
• Apart from this High way, Carriers must have a registered business office in the USA or Mexico or Canada.

Importers

• An importer must be classified as an entity importing goods into the USA for the last 12 months.
• The importer must maintain some form of record with the CBP. This record is understood as the Importer of Record (IOR). The IOR must be in the following format:

a)U.S Social Security Number.

b) IRS (Internal Revenue Service) Assigned ID.

c) CBP Number.

• The applicant must have the respective "C-TPAT Certificate" Signed along with the partnership agreement that the applicant has taken this initiative to voluntarily participate in such a program.
• The applicant must have a profile regarding the supply chain requirement in the C-TPAT portal. This must also state how the foreign manufacturer meets the requirements of the MSC.
• The applicant must not have any form of debts with any international or domestic authority when making such an application. The applicant must also satisfy that no form of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings is present.

Long Haul Carriers Located in Mexico

• This must be a high way carrier in Mexico.
• Apart from this, the Long Haul Carriers must satisfy the requirement of foreign importers (located in Mexico and Canada).
• Mexican companies should provide information related to the RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes), which is provided by the Mexican Tax Administration Service.
• RFC is a 12 digital number for companies and partnerships. However, for sole proprietorships and entrepreneur business, the number is a 13 digit number.
• The MID number must be constituted in such a way that it includes the name and address where the products and goods are originated.
• The applicant must have the respective "C-TPAT Certificate" Signed along with the partnership agreement that the applicant has taken this initiative to voluntarily participate in such a program.
• The applicant must have a complete profile regarding the supply chain requirement in the C-TPAT portal. This must also state how the foreign manufacturer meets the requirements of the MSC.
• The applicant must not have any form of debts with any international or domestic authority when making such an application. The applicant must also satisfy that no form of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings is present.

Third-Party Logistics Providers

• For C-TPAT Certification, the third-party logistics provider must satisfy the requirement to handle cargo inside and outside the USA.
• They have managed cargo using their resources, such as having a warehouse facility on behalf of the client company.
• They must not allow any form of subcontracting service.
• They have to be licensed as per the Federal Maritime Commission, Transport Security Administration, US Customs and Border Protection, and US Department of Transport.
• Apart from this, the Third Party Logistics requiring a C-TPAT Certification must satisfy the requirement of having a clean record and appointing an officer to deal with C-TPAT Certification.

Rail and Sea Carriers

• These carries must be transporting goods and shipments either from Canada or Mexico.
• If incorporated in Mexico, then the requirements of Mexican SAT purposes must be fulfilled.
• At least one officer must be located either in Mexico, Canada, or the USA.
• Have the US National Motor Freight Traffic Association Standard Carrier Code (SCAC code)
• Have a bond with the US Customs and Border Protection Authorities.

Marine Port Authority and Terminal Operator (Foreign Based)

• Have cargo vessels and shipments which are coming in from other locations.
• Have a registered business office in the USA.
• Have an FMC and Marine Terminal Operator (FMCMTO Number), which is usually a six-digit number.
• Have the requirements of the company officer and a clean record when carrying out the application.
• If the organization is foreign-owned, it must have an invitation from the CBP to apply for the C-TPAT Certification.
• Apart from this, the cargo vessels must be handled only from the USA.

Procedure for Application for a C-TPAT Certification

• The application process is done through an online C-TPAT Certification portal. The designated officer will fill in the application in the C-TPAT portal.
• The Company Portal Section will ask for information such as address and relevant contact information of the company.
• Once this is completed, the "Submit" button must be clicked.
• When this is finished, an account is created on the C-TPAT certification portal.
• The designated officer must fill the company information in the designated Security Profile.
• In the security profile, there is a section known as the Supply Chain Security Specialist (SCSS), which will check the requirement if the company or entity meets the eligibility criteria for the certification.
• Once this is done, the company will become a member of the C-TPAT.
• THE SCSS will contact your company to conduct an information audit to understand if the requirements have been complied with for the C-TPAT certification.
• If the SCSS finds the practices adopted by your company meet the minimum security requirements, then Tier- II status will be granted to your company.
• After this is carried out, your company can enjoy the full benefits of the C-TPAT certification.

Enterslice Advantage

• Enterslice is a recognized consultant for carrying out C-TPAT certification.
• We have multifaceted teams of professionals.
• We have extensive experience in handling C-TPAT Certification.
• Our service is cost-effective.

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