The following was prepared by the U. S. Customs and Border Patrol to guide importers through the Importer Self Assessment program for companies that have documented internal controls and are certified partners in Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).

      The ISA questionnaire is designed to help C&BP determine whether the applicant is indeed ISA ready.  The questions and attachments will also provide the Customs ISA review team the information necessary to prepare them for the Application Review Meeting (ARM).  This will ensure that they use the minimum amount of the applicant’s time in conducting the meeting and approving the application so the applicant can begin receiving benefits as soon as possible.

      The ISA questionnaire will also allow the ISA applicant to determine whether they are actually ready to apply for the ISA Program.  Applicants who are able to answer Yes to all of the questions on the ISA questionnaire are able to support the Yes responses; and, can provide the information required in the attachment to the ISA questionnaire, and would be deemed ready to apply to the ISA program.

      An ISA applicant must have established internal controls over Customs activities that are both implemented and documented.

      The ISA team will use the ISA Questionnaire along with the attachment information to gain an understanding of the company’s import operations and internal control structure.

Review scope

      The following steps briefly summarize the initial process prior to the ARM and what to expect at the ARM.

      •When the applicant responds to the ISA questionnaire completely, the ISA team can plan its approach for the ARM.  Once the ISA team receives the completed application package, the ISA team (consisting of a team leader, one or multiple consultants, account manager (national or port), and the international trade specialist) reviews the entire information available and then meets to discuss the risks that may exist with the applicant.

            •Next the ISA team contacts the applicant to discuss a date for the ARM.  The agenda for the ARM will be...

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