When you’re shipping your products internationally it is important your customers get their purchases quickly, but it’s just as important they get them safely and on time. Importing shipments from abroad is a risk for any country: the customs agency of that country needs to ensure they can trust the sender and are bringing safe goods into their country. There are various measures involved in safe and secure trade, and C-TPAT is one of them. C-TPAT is a government run program meant to increase safety with imported goods. Here’s what C-TPAT is, and why it’s important for safe international trade.
Now the tides turned.
C-TPAT, which stands for Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, is a government program that started n 2001 and is meant to be a safety measure against terrorism in the trade industry. It is a voluntary government based initiative to help build trusted relationships for importing goods into the U.S. A company can apply to become C-TPAT certified, and it can act as an added feature to ship your goods securely and quickly.
How does it work?
Being C-TPAT certified can make the customs process easier and more effective for almost any company. If customs knows a particular company is C-TPAT certified they will perform fewer examinations on goods being imported by that company, and will feel safer allowing those packages into the country. C-TPAT allows packages to go through customs faster, and it speeds up the clearance process. Companies who are C-TPAT certified are trusted by Customs Border Protection because they have put a lot of time and effort into making security a top priority.
How can I certify my company?
This program is completely voluntary, but it does still have guidelines for becoming certified. If you aren’t certified you can still ship goods into the U.S. but you may find it takes a little longer for your shipments to clear customs, or are examined more often.
To begin with, a security assessment will be done to see what kind of risk your specific company poses with the kind of goods you import. After that you must complete a supply chain security profile. During the process, which can take up to a year to complete, you will have the guidance of a C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Specialist so you can ask any questions you may have about the process.
Do I need a customs broker?
Customs brokers are experienced in the world of customs, and they have a wealth of knowledge to help ensure you’re shipping your products securely. If you’re unsure about becoming C-TPAT certified you can work with a customs broker to ensure safety during the customs clearing process. They can also act on your behalf if the border security has questions about the shipment you’re importing.
When it comes to importing goods from a foreign country security is the most important aspect as customs wants to make sure that they aren’t risking the safety of the country by importing something illegal. C-TPAT can confirm the safety of the goods being imported, and promises your company takes safety and security seriously.
