CBP Updates COAC on C-TPAT's Smart Box Initiative and Other C-TPAT Issues

This is Part II of a multi-part series of summaries of the February 6, 2004 COAC meeting and focuses on the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), which is highlighted below. See future issues of ITT for additional summaries.

Five C-TPAT partners are working with CBP on its "Smart Box" initiative. CBP sources state that five C-TPAT partners are working with CBP on its "Smart Box" (i.e., smart container) initiative.

According to CBP, over 80 containers have moved under the Smart Box initiative to date and at least 500 containers are expected to have moved under the Smart Box initiative by early April 2004.

Over 700 C-TPAT validations are underway. CBP and DHS sources also provided COAC members with an update on its C-TPAT validation process. (The purpose of C-TPAT validation is to ensure that the supply chain security measures contained in the C-TPAT participant's security profile have been implemented and are being followed.) Border and Transportation Security (BTS) officials announced DHS' desire to see a more "robust" validation program in 2004.

According to CBP sources, 141 C-TPAT validations have been completed to date and 711 C-TPAT validations are currently underway. CBP states that its goal for 2004 is to complete at least 300 of the 711 pending C-TPAT validations. CBP further notes that the 711 validations underway represent 20% of the C-TPAT membership that is eligible to undergo a validation.

60-80 CBP Supply Chain Security positions expected by end of 2004. CBP sources state that they have currently trained and have operational 20 new Supply Chain Security personnel who will be dedicated to C-TPAT and will be responsible for doing C-TPAT validations. According to CBP, their goal for 2004 is to have an additional 40-60 Supply Chain Security positions trained and operational (for a total of 60-80).

CBP states that it also plans to continue to train field managers to perform C-TPAT validations to augment the Supply Chain Security personnel and hopes to have over 100 people (both Supply Chain Security personnel and field managers) trained to do C-TPAT validations by the end of 2004.

CBP to soon begin testing C-TPAT Status Verification Interface. CBP sources stated that they expect to begin testing the C-TPAT status verification interface (SVI) in late February 2004 which will allow consenting, certified C-TPAT partners to query SVI for information on other consenting, certified C-TPAT partners.

CBP sources state that the C-TPAT SVI is expected to be operational in late March or early April 2004. CBP further states that two weeks before it becomes operational, fact sheets and questions and answers (Q&As) regarding SVI will be posted to the CBP Web site.

COAC to review C-TPAT and make recommendations. During the February 6, 2004 meeting, COAC notified CBP and other government officials that it would be reviewing the C-TPAT program regarding possible enhancements and that it expects to provide its recommendations by the next COAC meeting in April 2004.

C-TPAT currently has 5,300 participants. According to CBP sources, C-TPAT currently has 5,300 participants that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to participate in C-TPAT. This number includes:

1. 300 importers
2. carriers
3. 100 Customs brokers and freight forwarders
4. foreign manufacturers
5. U.S. Marine Port Authorities/Terminal Operators

See ITT's Online Archives or 02/10/04 news, 04021015, for Part I of this multi-part series of summaries on the February 6, 2004 COAC meeting.