• Supply Chain Cargo Flow Chart
  • We recommend that you map out all of the     parties involved in your supply chain from point of origin to final U.S.    destination. It is important to identify all parties involved in the     movement of your goods.

• Copy  of the company’s documented supply chain security     assessment and of any other business partners the Supply Chain Security     Specialist might visit for the validation
  • We recommend that the company identifies what     locations the validation or re-validation will be conducted in. Make sure     that they are actively following all C-TPAT minimum security standards as     well as a security assessments are being conducted and documented.

Risk assessment is also an important area that now CBP is focusing on while conducting a validation or re-validation. CBP wants companies to map out their Supply Chain Cargo Flow and Risk Rank the parties within in order to identify

If you need any help with any of the requirements mentioned above, Zisser can guide you though them and assist you on complying with all C-TPAT requirements. For further information please contact us at 619-671-0376.

Additional C-TPAT Facts you should know:

• Passwords to access the portal     will expire every 42 days.
• Validation Report must be responded and submitted within 90 days.
• Re-Validation: A notification letter will be sent by your SCSS at least 30 days in advance before the     actual visit.
• Companies with Tier II C-TPAT status are revalidated every 2 years.
• Companies with Tier     III C-TPAT status are revalidated every 4 years.
• Companies will generally receive their validation report within 60 days of the validation     or re-validation visit.

Zisser has successfully assisted many C-TPAT companies on their validation and re-validation process. We can evaluate your current procedures and prepare you with the necessary tools you will need to excel in your upcoming validation or re-validation.

If you would like to learn more about our services please contact us at 619-671-0376 or e-mail us at scs@zissergroup.com

Port Qasim in Pakistan has been selected as one of the testing sites to verify that trading partners around the world are following C-TPAT security procedures. Pakistan is currently working on an International Container Security (IC3) process for scanning goods going into the United States.

Pakistan Supply Chain Security (PSCS) Code is a voluntary program geared towards Pakistani exporters, manufacturers, road transporters, warehouse operators and freight forwarders. This program will guide members on best practices on supply chain security in Pakistan.

 It will give the trade community an opportunity to learn more about supply chain security and ways to implement it in their own business. This conference will also offer a wide variety of workshops (26) with relevant topics such as: How to ensure quality control along the supply chain, The Key to AEO: Creating Partnership between Customs and Traders, Mutual Recognition Agreements C-TPAT, among many others.

At Zisser we can provide more information and help your company become a member AEO program.  For a complete list of all AEO countries visit our website or call us at 619-671-0376.

To learn more about the topics and details of this event please visit http://www.wcoomd.org/event.htm.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced their 2009 C-TPAT accomplishments. C-TPAT continues to grow among the International Trade Community, there are now currently about 9,617 companies enrolled in the C-TPAT program.

Below are some of the statistical highlights CBP found during 2009:

Ø      C-TPAT Certified Companies in 2009

o       A 9 percent increase was registered on the number of certified C-TPAT companies

§         Companies now C-TPAT Certified = 1,237

Ø      C-TPAT Validations in 2009

o       Physical site visits = 4,131

§         In 75 countries around the world.

o       Validations completed = 3,420

o       Re-validations = 2,244

o       Number of failed validations increased by 20 percent.

§         Suspended / removed from the program due to failed validations or incident = 297 members

§         Out of 51 appeals from suspended or removed C-TPAT companies, only 19 were approved and re-instated into the program.

We strongly recommend that all C-TPAT companies continue to maintain and support their C-TPAT program. All validations and re-validations require preparation and must be taken seriously. U.S. Customs reports say there has been a 20% increase in failed validations which often result in suspensions or removals from the C-TPAT program.

If you would like additional support on how to prepare for your Validation or Re-Validation please contact us at: 619-671-0376 or e-mail steve@zissergroup.com.

Recommended Best Practices for 2010 include:

Broker:

• Monthly news letter to business partners on     security incidents and C-TPAT updates
• Webinar training for partners
• In depth business partner screening with site     visits and credit references

Canadian/Mexican Highway Carrier:

• Wireless panic button in conveyance
• Use of range finder in conveyance inspections
• Ability to shut off engine remotely in event of     route deviation

Foreign Manufacturer:

• Unannounced security audit of highway carriers
• Random escort of shipment from point of stuffing     to destination
• Clean desk policy - daily patrols by security to     ensure all desks, documents, computers, keys, cell phones are secured

Consolidator:

• Photos of container loading kept indefinitely
• Weekly audit of inventory versus documentation
• Visitor/Vendor information entered in electronic     system with index fingerprint

Third Party Logistics Provider:

• Biotmetric hand reader for employee access
• Maintain own inspections where assets are     rented/leased/ contracted

Long Haul Carrier:

• Designated time spots- driver must report back     time at each specific area along route
• Random intensive inspections upon existing     facility conveyance, personal effects, drug/alcohol testing
• Risk assessment-ask drivers to take part in     determining risk throughout route

Rail Carrier:

• Jump teams/escorts for high risk and/or high     value
• Fusion center to handle daily Intel/risk     analysis for train routes
• Mobile training team to train Mexican police

Air Carrier:

• Use of color coded seals to assist in integrity     of shipments
• Rotation of security guards monitoring CCTV’s to     prevent eye fatigue and internal conspiracy
• 24/7 hotline for reporting incidents and     suspicious activity

Sea Carrier:

• Utilize CO2 detector to detect human smuggling
• Utilize Optimum Routing Guide (ORG) system to     select best route for shipments
• Use of diverse to search bottom of ship in     anchorage before and after in port

Port Terminal:

• Hydraulic barrier to prevent entry/exit
• Terminal Operating System to verify container     and seal numbers upon arrival against manifest-real time
• All containers go through x-ray and radiation     portal during offloading

If you would like more information on C-TPAT or on how your company can improve its security and improve its best practices please contact us at (619) 671-0376 or e-mail steve@zissergroup.com.

Ø      All C-TPAT Carriers crossing C-TPAT cargo through the FAST lanes are required to have C-TPAT Compliant high security seals placed.

Ø      All C-TPAT Carriers crossing Non-CTPAT cargo through regular lanes MUST also place C-TPAT Compliant high security seals even though the cargo that is crossing is Non-C-TPAT.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires that C-TPAT members always comply with the security standards, even   when doing   business with Non-C-TPAT members.

We strongly encourage placing extra C-TPAT compliant high security seals in the container in case this is opened for previous inspection before arriving to the border.

After 9/11 Customs Border Protection (CBP) has been encouraging the voluntary program Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) in which all members agree to comply with certain supply chain security standards. Current C-TPAT members not only comply with all supply chain security criteria but can also receive higher benefits than those companies which are LBCIP members.

 As a result CBP is announcing their intention to terminate LBCIP and place an open invitation to all LBCIP members to apply to C-TPAT and begin receiving greater benefits.

However, after this date CBP will require all U.S. Importers to fully comply with Importer Security Filing (ISF) and Additional Carrier Requirements better known as “10+2’. CBP will now enforce Importers to submit “10” data elements, plus bill of lading numbers prior to the loading of containers and break bulk cargo onto ocean vessels and the origin port. Additionally “2” data elements such as vessel stow plan and container status messages are also required.

For those Importers that fail to comply with “10+2” requirements, they will be faced with penalties by customs of up to $5,000. All ISF submissions must be complete, accurate and on time.

C-TPAT Certified U.S. Importers will have the additional benefit of receiving 50% less mitigation, whereas Non-C-TPAT members will receive full mitigation for failure to comply with the “10+2” requirement.

Event:

C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Training Seminar : Balancing Supply Chain Security and Economic Efficiency

The 2010 C-TPAT Training will include topics such as:

• Balancing Supply Chain Security and Economic Efficiency
• Conducting a Supply Chain Security Risk Assessment
• Revalidations
• Suspensions and Removals
• C-TPAT Best Practices
• Developing a Security Training & Awareness Program
• Proactive Approaches to Security Breach Prevention
• Mutual Recognition
• Interagency Cooperation

The Seminar will be divided in two sessions:

Session 1- Wednesday and Thursday, March 17-18, 2010

Session 2- Thursday and Friday, March 18-19, 2010

Venue:

Anaheim Marriott Hotel

700 West Convention Way

Anaheim, California, 92802

The MM Compliance Suite is the first-ever comprehensive compliance suite of proven methods and processes to simply and effectively manage every single facet of compliance responsibility.

In this training we will share our roadmap approach for completely managing your compliance department in the most accurate and cost effective manner possible.  We will overview all 11 methods that make up the complete compliance suite.

Why A Compliance Suite?

To battle the complicated and wide reaching process of trade compliance, the compliance experts at Zisser have developed the first-ever comprehensive compliance suite of proven methods and processes to simply and effectively manage every single facet of compliance responsibility. 

Why the Masters Method?

Each Master Method WebTV Training is based on a proven method that is guaranteed to deliver a U.S. customs approved process that is ready to use, accurate, simple, consistent and always audit ready with documentation.  This makes the Masters Method unlike any training you have ever attended.

Why WebTV?

WebTV Training is the next best thing to attending a live training in person (maybe even better when you consider travel costs).  It is simply the most personal, dynamic, engaging, and stimulating training possible in a virtual environment.

Registration begins on January 6, 2010. Please note that space is limited.

CBP has made it a point that all C-TPAT certified companies must practice supply chain security every day with every shipment.   The failure to properly secure even one part of your supply chain can easily lead to a breach in security and immediate suspension from the program. All parties in the supply chain must insure that all cargo is carefully screened and monitored at all times to avoid unauthorized access and manipulation. If each point of the supply chain commits to this, no violations should occur.

In our experience practicing supply chain security every day with every shipment is the best method for preventing a violation and protecting your C-TPAT status.  At the very least it is also the best method to defend your security practices and secure quick reinstatement back into the program.  U.S. Customs is committed to working with those companies who are equally committed to the program.

 Supply Chain Security Best Practices 2009 covers the following topics:

 Security Criteria:

          Business Partner 

          Conveyance Security

          Physical Access Control

          Personnel Security        

          Procedural Security

          Physical Security

          Security Training/Threat Awareness

          Information Technology Security

 Each of the security criteria’s mentioned above are explained in detail and provided with valuable information you can begin implementing in your company.

 The Best Practices brochure discusses the importance and benefit of adopting security measures as well as how C-TPAT identifies best practices.

To request an ISF Progress report you must e-mail to:  

Progress_Report@cbp.dhs.gov

The following information must be included in the e-mail:

-Company Name

-Filer Code

-Point of Contact Telephone

-e-mail address (to which report will be sent)

For C-TPAT Tier 2 & 3 members shall provide the following information:

-Company Name

-IOR number(s)

-Point of Contact Telephone

-e-mail address (to which report will be sent)

-Inform what Tier the company is in

Please note that CBP will usually not respond to a request unless there is a problem. The report should be expected during the first week of the month after you register.