The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is a voluntary U.S. initiative, a joint government-business partnership to enhance supply chain and border security. C-TPAT builds on the best practices of existing trade and industry programs to bolster supply-chain security and focus Customs resources on risk areas.
U.S. Customs relies on its partners to monitor their own security activities and involve themselves in Customs-led programs that promote security through self-governance. C-TPAT is designed to address the security procedures of all components of the import supply chain.
The U.S. Customs website provides guidance for establishing, improving or amending security procedures along the entire supply chain. Each set of recommendations applies to a specific segment of the import chain; transportation air/sea/land transportation provider, broker, importer, NVOCCs, freight forwarders, manufacturer, warehouse and port authorities. As C-TPAT evolves, recommendations may be adjusted to further reflect trade community input and best practices.
