Bill to Revamp C-TPAT

Bipartisan legislation to beef up the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism was introduced by Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del) and John Cornyn (R-Texas).

The legislation – the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Pilot Program Act – would create a pilot program to strengthen the C-TPAT program within Customs and Border Protection.

The same measure was introduced in the last Congress and approved by the Senate, but did not see action in the House.

“The C-TPAT program has already proven successful in safely expediting the customs clearance process for trusted merchants,” according to Sen. Carper. “By expanding access to this program, we can reduce congestion at ports of entry while strengthening our national security – a win-win!”

The bill would create a pilot program that would allow up to 20 trusted non-asset and asset based, third-party logistic providers to become C-TPAT certified. The carrier companies would work with Customs certified by meeting additional security requirements and participating in inspections throughout the cargo transit process.

C-TPAT was created as a part of the SAFE Port Act of 2006 to support secure cross-border trade through a fast-track, customs clearance process for trusted merchants who voluntarily submit themselves to enhanced security screening measures.