• CTPAT BACKGROUND CHECKS

    Question: Can anyone please provide some insight on what is the “best practice” for the periodic employee background checks required under the Customs’ C-TPAT security criteria? How frequent do the checks need to be conducted? What type of checks needs to be completed (i.e. criminal, credit, etc.)? And finally, which positions are considered sensitive positions?

  • INLAND CARRIER CTPAT AUDITS

    Question:I spoke to our SCSS in regards to our foreign suppliers who sub-contract their inland carrier from factory to port and I understand the need for us (as a C-TPAT member) to audit the inland carrier. Our SCSS also indicated that we should request the following from our factory that does the subcontracting: -Their hiring […]

  • CTPAT RISK ASSESSMENT

    Question: What metrics are C-TPAT members using to assess risk by country? Areyou doing the work in-house (if so, what resources do you use?) OR areyou farming it out to a service provider?

  • CTPAT MANUAL

    Question:I am putting our CTPAT Manual together and would like to know how other members have organized their CTPAT manual. I would like to know what section names you used etc . if possible I’d like to have a sample template of the sections used to review.

  • ACQUISITION AND CTPAT VALIDATION

    Question: The company I work for acquired another company in late March, early April and the acquired company was just selected for a C-TPAT China joint validation at the end of July. With everything involved in the acquisition we have not had a chance to contact our SCSS and advise them of the acquisition or […]

  • FOLLOW UP BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR C-TPAT

    Question: Can anybody share their procedures on how they are performing periodicre-background checks under C-TPAT? Has anybody experienced any issues with notperforming such a task? And has this effected your Tier status?

  • CTPAT 5 STEP RISK ASSESSMENT

    Question: We are struggling to determine the optimum solution for conducting the newlyrequired C-TPAT 5 Step Risk Assessment of our supply chain members/lanes.  Wonder if any members can share information on the process they follow,and/or “best practices” they may be aware of for this assessment.

  • US security survey questionnaires from domestic customers

    Question:Our conversations with US Customs has resulted in the understanding that C-TPAT is a security program for imports into the US.  This is where CBP has jurisdiction.  We receive many security survey questionnaires at our US locations from domestic customers. They never purchase from our overseas facilities.  As our relationship with these companies only involves […]

  • CTPAT status and risk assessment

    Question: I am curious to know if the membership are aware of any ocean carriers using an importer’s C-TPAT status ito determine their risk assessments?I don’t know of too many ocean carriers that aren’t part of the C-TPAT program and while I’m sure they all perform regular credit checks I’m left with the impression that […]

  • OCEAN CARRIERS AND CTPAT RISKASSESSMENT

    Question: I am curious to know if the membership are aware of any ocean carriersusing an importer’s C-TPAT status ito determine their risk assessments?I don’t know of too many ocean carriers that aren’t part of the C-TPATprogram and while I’m sure they all perform regular credit checks I’mleft with the impression that few ( if […]

  • CTPAT POLICY ON ACCESS DOORS

    Question: Do any C-TPAT members have a policy/process to seal, or otherwise addresssecurity of the small (8”x10”) access door sometimes found built into themain trailer doors?   We have been a C-TPAT member since nearly thebeginning and this question has not ever come up – or been addressed that Ican recall.

  • CTPAT STATUS AND MARINE INSURANCE

    Question: In filling out our customs bond renewal application I noticed the formspecifically asks for the importer’s ISF progress report details. I’massuming that folks with favorable ISF progress reports ought to pose lessof a “risk” and as such benefit accordingly when their bond is set up. ….which begs the question…..are any importers aware of marine […]