The 2022 Trade Facilitation and Cargo Security Summit was a merger event combining the CBP Trade Symposium and the CTPAT Conference, which were previously two different events. The three-day event provided insight from industry speakers, panel discussions, and workshops. Highlighted below are key takeaways from the CTPAT 101 session, which provides an overview of updates on new initiatives and developments.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Effective August 1, 2022, all Importers participating in the CTPAT program can see the CTPAT Trade Compliance link in their profiles. This link will allow eligible Importers to apply for the optional CTPAT Trade Compliance component of the CTPAT program. To be eligible to apply for the CTPAT Trade Compliance component, Importers must be either Tier II (validated) or Tier III (validated-exceeding) and must meet all additional program requirements, including the CTPAT Trade Compliance Forced Labor requirements.
- Following a long period of inaction in 2021, CBP plans to open the CTPAT program to new applicants, anticipated for August 1st, 2022.
- In July 2021, CTPAT released an updated guidebook and core questionnaire with refreshed compliance best practices
- Forced labor continues to be a key focus area of the program. CBP is expected to release a handbook focusing on forced labor in September 2022. The UFLPA (Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act) entity list continues to evolve as CBP buckles down on the strategy to prevent the importation of goods mined, produced, and manufactured with forced labor in the People’s Republic of China.
- Panelists raised the topic of expanding the UFPLA commodities list to include items used in the production of lithium-ion batteries, stainless steel products, pharmaceuticals, jewelry, and electronics.
- Lastly, CBP announced the signing of a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with Uruguay, bringing the agency’s network of MRAs to 15. Also revealed was the signing of a Joint Work Plan with Guatemala and Columbia, working towards an MRA involving each country’s Authorized Economic Operator programs.
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.
