US’s CBP Updates C-TPAT Mutual Recognition Program
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently has released the current status of its Mutual Recognition (MR) Program for the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).
Mutual Recognition (MR) refers to those activities associated with the signing of a document between CBP and a foreign Customs Administration that provides for the exchange of information. The document, referred to as an “arrangement”, indicates that the security requirements or standards of the foreign industry partnership program, as well as its validation or audit procedures, are the same or similar with those of the C-TPAT program.
Through MR, international industry partnership programs are linked so that together they create a unified and sustainable security posture that can assist in securing and facilitating global cargo trade. It means end to end supply chain security based on program membership.
As of January 2010, four Mutual Recognition Arrangements have been signed by CBP:
- June 2007 – New Zealand Customs Service’s Secure Export Scheme Program.
- June 2008 – Canada Border Services Agency’s Partners in Protection Program.
- June 2007 – Jordan Customs Department’s Golden List Program.
- June 2009 – Japan Customs and Tariff Bureau’s Authorized Economic Operator Program.
CBP is also currently working with the following Customs Administration with the goal of reaching MR:
- Korean Customs – Authorized Economic Operator Program
- Singapore Customs – Secure Trade Partnership Plus Program
- European Union – Authorized Economic Operator Program