|
One of the most important programs that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offers is the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).
Created immediately after 9/11, C-TPAT has evolved into an industry standard that importers, brokers, forwarders, and others avoid only at their own extreme peril.
C-TPAT is a voluntary program. However, most importers, brokers, and other companies have quickly discovered that not being C-TPAT certified makes continued operations nearly impossible. If your company is not C-TPAT certified, CBP promises that your shipments (or the ones that you are involved in) will be delayed and that your company will not be eligible for other programs and benefits, such as the Importer Self-Assessment (ISA) Program. In addition, because it is now an industry standard, your company is also a business loser. More and more, companies are doing business only with C-TPAT certified companies.
GRVR Attorneys has represented numerous companies throughout the C-TPAT certification process, from importers, Mexican manufacturers, NVOCCs, to highway carriers. We provide exactly the level of involvement and guidance your company requires.
The C-TPAT Security Profile is the most important document that your company will prepare and file to obtain C-TPAT certification. Many companies make the mistake of preparing this on their own. After being rejected by CBP and after losing at least several months, these companies turn to us to restart the process. All submissions, like C-TPAT, to a federal enforcement agency should be done with extreme care and through an experienced customs law firm.
|
|
