Earlier in 2006, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued its security criteria for truck carriers under the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, or C-TPAT. The obligations falling on C-TPAT carriers are significant, but they do not replace those of other trade chain partners, according to David Bradley, Canadian Trucking Alliance chief executive officer.
“Over the next several months, C-TPAT carriers will be examining their security protocols in light of the new, more stringent requirements imposed by CBP,” said Bradley. “Ideally, the measures put in place by carriers will mesh seamlessly with those of their C-TPAT clients, ensuring an unbroken chain. But I think it's important for everyone in the trade chain to be clear on their obligations so carriers are not called upon to do the work of others.”
CBP is trying to establish security criteria for all modes of transportation, as well as for other C-TPAT participants. Certain requirements, notably the placement of high-security seals on US-bound trailers, appear in both carrier and importer security criteria published by CBP.
CTA wrote to major shipper groups in the automotive trade recently, reminding them of their members' responsibilities and urging them to work with their carriers.