Curbing illegal trade through C-TPAT

Mr A K Raha (Member), Central Board of Excise & Customs delivering the Keynote Address. On the dais from left, are Ms Geeta Saxena, Sr. Vice President, Pinkerton C & I India; Mr Elliott L Harbin, Immigration & Customs Enforcement Attaché, US Embassy; Mr Barry Wilkins, International Cargo Security Council and VP, Pinkerton C & I Inc. USA; Mr Subhash Mittal, Convenor, Committee on International Trade & Export Promotion; and Mr Sanjay Kaushik, VP, Pinkerton C & I India

Terrorism has assumed many dimensions in the recent past and it needs to be tackled at many fronts by a joint effort between various agencies, said FIEO Covenor of the Committee on International Trade & Export Promotion Mr Subhash Mittal while welcoming the participants to a Seminar organized on 8th March 2007 at New Delhi. The seminar was organized by Pinkerton Consulting and Investigations India Pvt. Ltd to inform Indian exporters about C-TPAT (Customs - Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) and its implications for them. According to Mr. Mittal, C-TPAT is one to the weapons to tackle this growing monster which the US has evolved after 9/11. US laws mandate that after three years no exporter will be able to trade with US if it is not C-TPAT compliant.

Mr. A.K. Raha, Member, Central Board of Excise & Customs also feels that security has become a major concern for international trading due to practical difficulties in inspecting each and every container and hoped that C-TPAT could provide some help in minimizing illegal trade activities such as drug trafficking, smuggling, including facilitation to terrorist activities.

Mr. Sanjay Kaushik, Vice President, Pinkerton Consulting and Investigations India Pvt. Ltd while giving a detail presentation on C-TPAT said that along with the Kochhar Group, his company had introduced to the Indian market highly sophisticated, technologically advanced and unparallel investigation services. He added that his company also provided the highest quality of innovative, cost effective and responsive risk management solutions customized to specific needs of each client. Some of the services provided by Pinkerton Group in India according to Mr. Kaushik are security consultancy including risk assessment, corporate investigations including fraud and financial investigations, background checks, undercover operations, cyber surveillance, executive protection, crisis management and business continuity planning, supply chain security including C-TPAT audits etc. Pinkerton is providing C-TPAT compatibility to Indian exporters in Indian.

A view of the participants.

Mr Barry Wilkins presenting the Theme Address.

What is C-TPAT

Customs - Trade Partnership against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is a joint government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships that strengthen overall supply chain and border security.

C-TPAT recognizes that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can provide the highest level of security only through close cooperation with the ultimate owners of the supply chain - importers, carriers, brokers, warehouse operators and manufacturers.

Through this initiative, CBP is asking businesses to ensure the integrity of their security practices and communicate their security guidelines to their business partners within the supply chain.

What are the benefits of participation in C-TPAT

C-TPAT offers businesses an opportunity to play an active role in the war against terrorism. By participating in this first worldwide supply chain security initiative, companies will ensure a more secure supply chain for their employees, suppliers and customers. Beyond these essential security benefits, CBP will offer potential benefits to C-TPAT members, including:

  • A reduced number of inspections (reduced border times)

  • An assigned account manager (if one is not already assigned)

  • Access to the C-TPAT membership list

  • Eligibility for account-based processes (bimonthly/monthly payments, e. g.)

  • An emphasis on self-policing, not CBP verifications

Who is eligible for C-TPAT?

C-TPAT is currently open to all importers and carriers (air, rail, sea). CBP plans to open enrollment to a broader spectrum of the trade community in the near future. C-TPAT membership will be made available to all sectors of the supply chain. CBP will be consulting with the trade community to develop the most effective approach for each sector to participate in C-TPAT. Please refer to this site for the latest information on eligibility and application procedures

What does participation in C-TPAT require?

Businesses must apply to participate in C-TPAT. Participants will sign an agreement that commits them to the following actions:

  • Conduct a comprehensive self-assessment of supply chain security using the C-TPAT security guidelines jointly developed by Customs and the trade community. These guidelines, which are available for review on the Customs Web Site, encompass the following areas: Procedural Security, Physical Security, Personnel Security, Education and Training, Access Controls, Manifest Procedures, and Conveyance Security

  • Submit a supply chain security profile questionnaire to Customs.

  • Develop and implement a program to enhance security throughout the supply chain in accordance with C-TPAT guidelines.

  • Communicate C-TPAT guidelines to other companies in the supply chain and work toward building the guidelines into relationships with these companies.

 

Federation of Indian Export Organisations
New Delhi, INDIA.