News
The U.S. House of Representatives passed Tuesday the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Authorization Act of 2017. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
H.R. 3551 reauthorizes and amends the C-TPAT program to reflect current industry practices and threats to the global supply chain.
Specifically the bill:
- establishes the C-TPAT program, formal duties of the Director, and makes the program the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) for the U. S.;
- expands the number of entities that are eligible for C-TPAT participation to include importers, exporters, customs brokers, forwarders, air, sea, and land carriers, and contract logistics providers;
- establishes a tiered system of tangible benefits into which C-TPAT participants fall based on their adherence to security requirements;
- reduces redundant inspections on pre-vetted cargo and provides CBP with mechanisms to suspend or expel participants from the program if they fail to abide by security requirements or pose a threat to national security; and
- establishes a process for CBP, with Congressional oversight requirements, to continuously vet participants, review their security measures, and conduct site visits to their facilities to ensure compliance.
