What is Sedex? Sedex Pre-audit – SMETA
✅ Sedex is a non profit organization (NPO) which is established to innovate ethic practices in business and social accountability in global supply chain. ✅ As t...
Nowadays, the transportation of goods between countries is developing strongly. This sets out requirements that the concern of supply chain security and national security are taken care of. As a result, CTPAT standard was introduced to help ensure the security of goods clearance around the world.
What is CTPAT?
C-TPAT is short form of Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) - a joint US government-business partnership to help build supply chain and increase border security.
C-TPAT is an co-initiative of US government and businesses introduced in 2001 with the aim to foster a cooperative relationship that strengthen the security of international supply chains in general and US border security in particular. Through this initiative, the US Custom Border Protection (CBP) requires businesses to ensure the full implementation of security requirements in operations and communication and verifies the security principles of partners in supply chain.
According to that, products of enterprises who joins C-TPAT could crossing the border of the United States will be cleared more quickly as customs will offer potential benefits to C-TPAT members, particularly reducing the number of inspections (the number of times is reduced).
The participants will sign an agreement including the following activities:
1 .Self-assessment of supply chain security following the guideline of C-TPAT security guideline. Valuable guidelines for this review are available on the US Customs website, including the following areas:
Benefits for sealed goods to apply CTPAT
Benefits for enterprises to apply CTPAT
Joining CTPAT is no different than the clearance card, especially when your goods is expected to participate in highly demanding markets such as the US, UK, Europe, etc where your products must meet strict standards. Obtaining a CFCAT certification will help the customs process to simplify leading to time and cost saving.
Obtaining this certification, the enterprise could:
Establish domestic and international cooperative relationship
-C-TPAT has partnerships with commercial communities to take advantage of its influence in the international supply chain and beyond the management of the US government. Enroll in open programs in the following business areas:
+ U.S. Importers of Record
+ U.S./Canada Highway Carriers
+ CU.S./Mexico Highway Carriers
+ Mexico Long Haul Highway Carriers
+ Rail, Sea, and Air Carriers
…………..
- C-TPAT collaborates with other agencies such as Transportation Security Administration, Food and Drug Administration, and US Coast Guard to arrange/ give out security requirements and maximize efforts to facilitate the transportation of legitimate goods.
- C-TPAT also promotes internationalization of security based on cooperation programs in industry with other trading partners and with foreign customs authorities. CBP has signed seven MRAs, and more agreements will be signed soon in the near future.