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Nov 7, 2008 12:41 PM

The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is warning all C-TPAT carriers in Canada that their designation as a secure, low-risk business could be lost for a considerable period of time for not having a certified seal on every trailer entering the United States.

The certified seal is a condition of C-TPAT membership. CTA said it has become aware of what may be a growing number of carriers who have found themselves in the situation without any prior warning.

When C-TPAT shippers load a carrier’s trailer, shippers are supposed to be responsible for affixing the seal. If they don’t and the driver doesn’t catch it, the carrier is held responsible, CTA said, adding that penalties for non-compliance can be severe, including loss of C-TPAT status for one to five years.

CTA said it is hopeful that the US Customs and Border Protection agency (USCBP) that administers the C-TPAT program will be amenable to discussing a system of progressive discipline like those that exist for truck safety compliance, starting with warning letters for minor infractions, and increasing penalties for continued non-compliance. The most severe penalties would be reserved for habitual non-compliance.