2022 Trade Facilitation and Cargo Security Summit

August 11, 2022

On July 18th-20th, CT Strategies traveled to Anaheim, California, to attend the 2022 Trade Facilitation and Cargo Security Summit hosted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). By combining its annual Trade Symposium and Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) conference, CBP filled the three-day event with key industry speakers, panel discussions, and workshops highlighting the latest requirement updates, best practices for navigating supply chain challenges, as well as the future of customs and trade.

The agenda included insightful discussions regarding E-commerce, 21st Century Customs Framework (21CCF), Forced Labor, and CTPAT. Through the discussion of the enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), CBP emphasized its dedication to removing forced labor from the supply chains of goods entering and exiting the United States. For importers seeking best practices, CBP has posted the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF) Importer Guidance on their website detailing effective supply chain tracing and measures to ensure that importers do not bring in commodities from any regions with forced labor.

New Requirements for CTPAT Members

CBP outlined the new requirements set forth in the CTPAT Trade Compliance program regarding forced labor. For CTPAT Tier II or Tier III members participating in the CTPAT Trade Compliance partnership, CBP released the new requirements that take effect on August 1st, 2022. These requirements include risk-based business mapping, evidence of implementation, due diligence and training, remediation plan, and shared best practices. New applicants to CTPAT must meet these requirements when applying to the Program. However, existing members will have one year to implement these conditions.

Forced Labor MSC

CBP announced that on the first of January 2023 the requirements set forth in the Minimum Security Criteria (MSC) for forced labor will change. Specifically, Section 3.9 of the MSC states that “CTPAT Members should have a documented social compliance program in place that, at a minimum, addresses how the company ensures goods imported into the United States were not mined, produced or manufactured, wholly or in part, with prohibited forms of labor, i.e., forced, imprisoned, indentured, or indentured child labor,” will change from a “should” to “must.”

In case you did not get a chance to tune into the 3-day event, we’ve compiled a list of important takeaways that current and prospective CTPAT members should be aware of.

About Us

The CT Strategies team of former CBP CTPAT Supply Chain Security Specialists (SCSS) and Directors help companies successfully navigate CBP’s CTPAT program. Using insights from over 80 years of combined CBP operational and policy knowledge, we leverage our first-hand CTPAT supply chain security experience and connections to current CBP leadership, so you can save time and money and get the most out of your CTPAT membership.

Ships, Semi truck and airplane displaying Import Export labels

WITA 5th Annual International Trade Conference

The International Trade Conference highlighted the importance of private sector engagement and support of innovation in the global system of trade. Recognizing the growing role of trade in addressing critical issues such as climate change, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability, businesses and governments must lean on collaboration to prioritize social responsibility just as much as economic growth.

Managing CTPAT | For New Compliance Managers

A CTPAT manager’s role is to help ensure a company complies with all applicable CTPAT requirements, including security measures like access controls and physical security where goods are stored or processed before being shipped out.

iPad displaying ctpat validation processes

CTPAT Validations | What To Expect

Be sure to check with your Supply Chain Security Specialist (SCSS) to determine if your validation will be in person or virtually this year, as each format brings its own types of challenges. During a CTPAT validation, your SCSS will examine your company’s processes and evidence of implementation for compliance in areas such as commitment of upper management to promoting a culture of security

Driving Company-Wide CTPAT Awareness

For most companies, the 12 Minimum Security Criteria (MSC) sections touch various departments, so making compliance a team effort is vital. The first step is to ensure that all key employees are aware of CTPAT requirements by having them participate in compliance efforts on a regular basis.