C-TPAT program issues empty box reminder

C-TPAT program issues empty box reminder U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a letter Tuesday reminding ocean carriers in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program that they are responsible for visually inspecting the interior of empty containers bound for the United States at the foreign load port.
   The guidance only applies to tiny population of containers because trade imbalances mean high demand for U.S.-bound containers, while lower levels of exports result in large numbers of empty containers being recirculated back to Asia and other areas. The guidance could have most relevance for refrigerated containers because the United States exports a lot of beef and other agricultural products.
   C-TPAT is a voluntary program under which companies design supply chain security programs approved by CBP and must ensure that their foreign suppliers follow the plan in order to achieve trade facilitation benefits.
   In recent weeks, the border security agency has issued minimum-security criteria for foreign manufacturers, U.S. and foreign marine terminal operators and port authorities, and Mexican long-haul carriers. The criteria cover access controls, personnel checks, information systems, facilities, container security, procedural controls and training.