C-TPAT

QUESTION: We are considering the cost/benefit of CTPAT, particularly the updated minimum security criteria. We are not ISA and most of cargo moves via air freight. Does anyone have experience with leaving the program and what (if any) ramification they encountered? ========== Answers: In your CTPAT portal, I recommend reviewing the companies that are monitoring […]

QUESTION: Someone told one of my C suite guys about C-TPAT and now he’s a on a mission. What are my best arguments against it? It feels unnecessary to me. Time-consuming? Potentially expensive to implement needed changes? We don’t have a lot of exam-based holds. In fact, I can’t tell you when the last one […]

QUESTION: Can a single business location within a company (with 30 plus U.S. locations) apply for C-TPAT certification? Can you explain how this could be achieved? =========== Answer: Yes, if as an importer you have your own unique IOR number. ===========

QUESTION: I am receiving feedback from my SCSS regarding our current process of moving full truckload shipments from our manufacturing facility in Monterrey MX to Laredo. Our process is outlined below. • Full trucks loaded at facility in MTY • Full trucks are moved to carriers secured facility and sit overnight o Reason for overnight […]

QUESTION: We have a supplier in China that have completed the 5-step risk assessment questionnaire. The provided back-up many documents, manuals, etc. in Chinese. Can we accept these or do we need to have an English translation? The supplier told me that other vendors have accepted the Chinese versions. It seems to me that I […]

QUESTION: One of the Tier 3 benefits as a CTPAT member is “front of the line” inspection privileges. Is this privilege automatically granted to us when we are selected for an exam or do we need to proactively request it? We have very few exams but it would be nice to know that we are […]

QUESTION: Would anyone in the membership be willing to share the language included on the PO to cover CTPAT? We do business with non CTPAT members but want to ensure that all security standards are followed and would like to benchmark the verbiage we use to what other companies are using. Any feedback would be […]

QUESTION: Does anyone know how many C-TPAT member companies have Tier 3 status? Even an estimate of the percentage of companies are Tier 3 companies would be helpful. ************ Answers: Among 11K+ C-TPAT members there are only 300+ Tier 3 members. We just got Tier 3 for one of clients and it is possible if […]

QUESTION: My company has a customer who wants all their suppliers (us included) to be CTPAT certified. Our customer says it is due to the facility being located in Mexico. Yet, we only export from the same USA warehouse to the Mexico facility and it will not be sent from Mexico to the USA. That […]

QUESTION: Regarding sending a questionnaire to your supply base – Foreign suppliers only, or both Foreign and Domestic suppliers? We have only 5-10 foreign suppliers, and perhaps 100 domestic. Since CTPAT is focused on imports, can we get away with only sending the questionnaires to our foreign suppliers – and will that be sufficient for […]

QUESTION: Have a question regarding different Tier class of CTPAT. Is there a way if you are Tier 1, you can get to Tier 2 or 3. Also is it possible if CTPAT can downgrade you if you do not meet the annual requirements of CTPAT. ========== Answers: Tier 1 means you have been accepted […]