Trade Goes On: Preserving Supply Chains During COVID-19

On Wednesday, President Trump and Prime Minister Trudeau agreed to restrict non-essential travel, closing off the world’s longest border. This effort will bring tourism to a halt but will limit economic damage by allowing essential workers and trade to flow across the border.  By continuing to facilitate trade, leaders ensure that essential goods such as medicine and food will reach consumers.  

In Northern California, Customs officials and private industry are working to expedite essential import containers, particularly those containing medical supplies and other emergency-related items. The group credits their success to the partnership between maritime professionals, U.S. Customs, and other federal officials. The group has emphasized the following priorities that should be adopted by other ports during this emergency: 

  • Customs should work to expedite clearances of containers with essential items such as medical supplies and sanitary products. 
  • The entire community including freight forwarders, truckers, and public officials should share information and cooperate. 

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CTPAT Members must take all reasonable steps to ensure that their supply chains are free of forced labor. Building awareness of the problem and working with suppliers to develop solutions is one of the best ways to address forced labor concerns. Here are some best practices that companies can implement to help prevent and address forced labor in their supply chains.

CTPAT | Combating Forced Labor in Your Supply Chain

CTPAT Members must take all reasonable steps to ensure that their supply chains are free of forced labor. Building awareness of the problem and working with suppliers to develop solutions is one of the best ways to address forced labor concerns. Here are some best practices that companies can implement to help prevent and address forced labor in their supply chains.

various types of cargo transport on a world map

CTPAT & Cargo Mapping

CTPAT Members can leverage data collected from cargo mapping to ensure compliance. Cargo mapping refers to the process of identifying the optimal route for a shipment of goods from the point of origin to the destination. It involves analyzing various factors, such as distance, transportation mode, transit time, cost, and other logistical considerations, to determine the most secure and cost-effective way to transport cargo.

Forced Labor Compliance Impacts & Benefits

Due to the recent toughening of forced labor policies, US importers, exporters, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and other entities involved in international trade have an expanded responsibility to monitor, identify, and report forced labor in their supply chains. CBP aims to increase government-private sector collaboration to combat forced labor while providing additional incentives to encourage private sector engagement in the program.

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