C-TPAT deadline for customs brokers extended

C-TPAT deadline for customs brokers extended Customs brokers who participate in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism will have an extra 30 days to comply with new minimum security criteria published in December.
   U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it is extending the deadline to meet the more stringent standards from March 31 until May 2.
   The new standards upgrade what had been loose guidelines for the voluntary program. Companies in the program commit to develop and follow a plan to make sure they have adequate controls in place for their business partners, container and trailer stuffing and sealing, physical access, document processing, information technology and other areas. In exchange CBP gives shipments from trusted shippers expedited treatment at the border.
   Customs brokers will need to update their security profiles by the deadline, showing how they meet the new baseline security criteria. They will not need to certify that new steps have been implemented, but will be subject to ongoing CBP on-site validation visits to verify compliance.
   Other industry sectors have already transitioned to the new criteria.