CTPAT has embarked on a journey over the previous four years to reinvigorate Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Trade Compliance efforts. In close collaboration with private industry and best practices put forth by international trade groups, such as the World Customs Organization (WCO), CTPAT has established a program that is equipped to be the global standard for Trade Compliance.
The new CTPAT Trade Compliance program is an evolution of the former Importer Self Assessment (ISA) program. The goal of the program is to increase importer compliance and the flow of legitimate cargo into the United States. In exchange for compliance with regulatory trade requirements imposed by CBP and other government entities, the CTPAT Trade Compliance program offers meaningful benefits to the trade as part of partnership. These benefits are a combination of legacy CTPAT and ISA benefits, as well as benefits developed in collaboration with partners of the CTPAT Trusted Trader Pilot (established under Federal Register Notice 34334) and the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee’s (COAC) Secure Trade Lanes Subcommittee (Trusted Trader Working Group). These groups worked collaboratively with CBP to understand the major challenges importers face today, and
to develop benefits that address those challenges and make program partnership worthwhile.
This handbook provides an overview of the major changes and improved industry benefits that have led to the modernization of CTPAT’s Trade Compliance program and detailed instructions for applying and maintaining partnership. I hope you will find this resource to be helpful as you begin the process to join the CTPAT Trade Compliance program or begin the process of
fulfilling your annual partnership requirements.