Supply Chain Security

Is C-PAT for you?

By: Steve Schellenberg

       Every person who is involved in logistics, distribution or supply chain event management will be impacted by on-going efforts to create a more secure global trading system.  In order to create this system, a partnership was designed to bring together the best technology, best industry practices and regulatory authority that would create a trust between business and government and create a more secure supply chain.  C-TPAT, the Customs-Trade Partnership against Terrorism, was developed to provide a template for how to handle cargo securely throughout global supply chains.

         Traditionally, the approach to supply chain security was focused on keeping the goods that were supposed to be in the box, in the box.  Now, there is an added responsibility to ensure that things that are not supposed to be in the box are actually kept out of the box.  As an importer, you must now be able to demonstrate that you have both aspects of this process under control, and you must be able to demonstrate that control as it extends throughout your entire supply chain. 

         The extra efforts are designed to keep the terrorist needle out of the global trading haystack.

         The events of Sept. 11 caused the closing of the entire border and port systems.  On that horrifying day, just-in-time production systems broke down, material flow was frozen and trade systems worldwide crumbled.   Customs needed a methodology to begin processing goods at the borders and the ports, so a partnership was formed with key traders who agreed to demonstrate that they would attend to the security of products flowing into our trading system, regardless of mode or port.  C-TPAT increases the scope and accountability of management over supply chain events and partners to prevent the introduction of weapons of terror into the trade network.

         The partnership is designed to capture information and demonstrate control over all aspects of the supply chain including the events and providers that have a role in moving goods.   It requires a complete self-assessment that encompasses procedural security, physical security, personnel security, education and awareness training, access control, manifest and conveyance security issues.  The partnership requires that you ...

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