U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently published the eligibility requirements and the security criteria for exporters to participate in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).
According to the release, “As the C-TPAT program has continued its evolution, it has become apparent that exports also have an important role in international supply chains and while this sector is not as heavily owned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the C-TPAT program, developing an export component for C-TPAT would further enhance both the program and its relationship with other mutually recognized Foreign Customs administrations.”
For C-TPAT purposes, an exporter is defined as person or company who, as the principal party in interest in the export transaction, has the power and responsibility for determining and controlling the sending of the items out of the United States.