C-TPAT offers businesses an opportunity to play an active role in the war against terrorism. By participating in this first worldwide supply chain security initiative, companies will ensure a more secure supply chain for their employees, suppliers and customers. In addition, CBP offers the following benefits to C-TPAT members:
  • A reduced number of inspections and reduced border wait times.
  • A C-TPAT supply chain specialist to serve as the CBP liaison for validations, security issues, procedural updates, communication and training.
  • Access to the C-TPAT members through the Status Verification Inter face.
  • Self-policing and self-monitoring of security activities.
  • In the Automated Commercial System (ACS), C-TPAT certified importers receive reduced selection rate for Compliance Measurement Examinations (-3X in FY 2003) and exclusion from certain trade-related local and national criteria.
  • C-TPAT certified importers receive targeting benefits (-7X in FY 2003) by receiving a "credit" via the CBP targeting system.
  • Certified C-TPAT importers are eligible for access to the FAST lanes on the Canadian and Mexican borders.
  • Certified C-TPAT importers are eligible for the Office of Strategic Trade's (OST) Importer Self-Assessment Program (ISA) and have been given priority access to participate in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).
  • C-TPAT certified highway carriers, on the Canadian and Mexican borders, benefit from their access to the expedited cargo processing at designated FAST lanes. These carriers are eligible to receive more favorable mitigation relief from monetary penalties.
  • C-TPAT certified Mexican manufacturers benefit from their access to the expedited cargo processing at the designated FAST lanes.
  • All certified C-TPAT companies are eligible to attend CBP sponsored C-TPAT supply chain security training seminars. CBP provided benefits are not the only benefits that companies realize by joining C-TPAT. Companies have found that joining C-TPAT often results in discovering outdated procedures and/or discovering areas that need improved security and efficiency. While per forming the required supply chain assessment for C-TPAT membership, companies are able to streamline their operations.
  • C-TPAT aids companies in optimizing their internal and external management of assets and functions while at the same time enhancing security. When administered together, enhanced security practices and procedures, and increased supply chain performance will mitigate the risk of loss, damage and theft, and reduce the likelihood of the introduction of potentially dangerous elements into the global supply chain.
Other benefits companies have realized by participating in C-TPAT include:
  • The incorporation of good sound security practices and procedures into existing logistical management methods and processes.
  • Greater supply chain integrity.
  • Reduced risk mitigation.
  • Reduced cargo theft and pilferage.
  • Stronger brand equity.
  • Improved asset utilization.
  • Greater efficiency between internal and external functions.
  • Improved security for their workforce.
  • Improved marketability.
  • Understanding the end to end process, including knowing each entity along the supply chain. The successful integration and alignment of increased security and enhanced supply chain efficiency is one of the great successes of C-TPAT. Through the collaborative work of CBP and the trade community, C-TPAT enhances the security and efficiency of legitimate trade.