U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have alerted on security measures to all C-TPAT members and cross border carriers. CBP encourages all members to increase their supply chain security and vigilance among their non-CTPAT business partners - vendors/supplier and service providers (US Customs Brokers, Freight Forwarders, and/or cross border carriers - involved in their supply chain.

The US-Mexico border has recently been faced with various narcotics seizures on both sides of the border; many of which have been found in shipments related to C-TPAT members. CBP encourages members to screen, evaluate and re-evaluate all business partners - especially non-CTPAT members - on a regular basis.

One of the main factors CBP identified was the lack of implementation among security procedures. Many companies have the resources to perform their own security measures but do not follow and/or make them part of their internal security procedures. Another factor was the lack of corporate oversight, which in turn contributed to the rise in risk of internal conspiracies.

CBP is providing all companies - C-TPAT and non-CTPAT - with criteria steps to evaluate the risk factors in their respective supply chains, such as:

Ensure there is adequate oversight and accountability of the cargo loading and sealing process.
Employ the use of cameras and/or other suitable monitoring devices or processes at the cargo loading areas.
Audit and verify employee screening processes, to include periodic reviews.
Consider rotating personnel assigned to operationally sensitive positions, such as dispatcher.

Establishment of route times from the manufacturing site to various points in the transportation flow will help monitor and ensure that drivers are arriving at designated locations within established time parameters.
Members should work with service providers to develop written and verifiable procedures to address those instances that a driver does not check in within established time parameters. Drivers should not be allowed to make unauthorized stops.

For more information on C-TPAT click here.