CTPAT: What is it? How can it benefit your logistics?
Created after the 9-11 attack in the United States, the CTPAT certification seeks protection of your company’s entire supply chain against terrorist acts and other illegal activities.
The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) is a voluntary program developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to strengthen international supply chains and improve U.S. border security.
A CTPAT-certified company, such as EP America, is committed to work under CPB’s requirements to protect a supply chain, identify security gaps, and implement specific security measures and best practices.
Different types of organizations can apply for the CTPAT Certification to enhance supply chain security:
- Air Carriers
- Consolidators [Air freight consolidators, ocean transport intermediaries, and non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCC)]
- Customs brokers
- Exporters
- Foreign manufacturers
- Highway carriers
- Importers
- Long haul carriers in Mexico
- Marine port authority and terminal operators
- Rail carriers
- Sea carriers
- Third party logistics providers (3PL)
Applicants must address a wide range of security issues and submit action plans to enhance security throughout the supply chain.
“CTPAT members are considered low-risk and are therefore less likely to be screened at a U.S. port of entry,” CBP explains in its official site.
The benefits of CTPAT Certification for you
For a valuable logistics customer like yourself, having warehousing services certified by the CTPAT means more security in the handling of your cargo, as well as protection to your brand, and more agility in your logistics processes when CPB’s Inspectors identify any suspicious load.
EP America, a company of Europartners Group, is certified by CTPAT, so you can be certain that your freight will be protected under the care of trained teams, who manage risks from the beginning of the process.
In addition, we have robust protocols to thoroughly verify every individual who has contact with your freight inside our warehouses and offices, as well as the carriers to whom we entrust our partnership.
With the CTPAT certification, we are ready to meet all your requirements, including cybersecurity and audits related to the protection of your supply chain.
To learn more about the security criteria required by the CTPAT, visit CPB’s official webpage.