At the Annual C-TPAT Seminar in Anaheim, CA Customs Border Protection announced C-TPAT’s 2010 Best Practices. During C-TPAT’s 2010 Best Practices workshop Customs reminded each company to carefully review their security “best practices” and challenge them to make sure they are properly functioning. With the ever-changing technology and security risks on the rise, companies should be very involved and informed on the latest C-TPAT “best practices”.

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 (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).