The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) Issues a Report Regarding Supply Chain Security and
On February 8, 2017, the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s (GAO’s) issued a report regarding supply chain security and member benefits under the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Program (C-TPAT). Click here to read the full report. The C-TPAT Program is a voluntary program in which Customs and Border Protection (CBP) validate members' supply chain security practices to ensure that they meet the C-TPAT’s minimum security criteria. In return, members are eligible to receive benefits including, but not limited to, a reduced likelihood that their shipments will be examined. The GAO report assessed whether (1) CBP is meeting its security validation responsibilities, and (2) whether C-TPAT members are receiving benefits. To determine whether CBP is meeting its security validation responsibilities, and whether C-TPAT members are receiving benefits, the GAO reviewed information on security validations, member benefits, and other program documents. GAO also interviewed officials at CBP headquarters, three C-TPAT field offices chosen for their geographical diversity, as well as, select C-TPAT members and trade industry officials. The report noted that CBP has faced challenges in meeting C-TPAT security validation responsibilities because of problems with the functionality of the program's data management system. To that extent, the GAO concluded that because of data problems, it cannot presently determine the extent to which C-TPAT members are receiving benefits. Despite these issues, C-TPAT officials are exploring new member benefits, and industry officials we met with generally spoke positively of the C-TPAT program.
If you have questions in regards to becoming a member of the C-TPAT Program or if your company’s C-TPAT membership has been revoked, please contact Davidson Law Group, P.A. today!
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