CBP Posts Additional Information on its C-TPAT Third Party Validation Pilot (11th Validator Listed)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted on its Web site updated information on its selection of validators for its Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) third party validation pilot program. The updated information includes the listing of an 11th company selected as a validator - Bureau Veritas Group Company.

(CBP has previously noted that as a result of its inability to gain access into China to validate C-TPAT importer supply chains, the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act (P.L.109-347) mandated CBP to develop a 1 year voluntary C-TPAT third-party validation pilot program. In spring 2007, CBP began accepting applications from entities wishing to act as "third party" validators for C-TPAT importers that buy over 75% of their imports from China (approximately 300 C-TPAT importers are expected to be eligible).)

Letter to Eligible C-TPAT Companies on Pilot and 11 Validators Was Expected to be Sent on July 27

CBP states that it has been assembling the final list of C-TPAT certified companies that meet the criteria of having a majority of their international supply chain within China that would be eligible for this third party validator option, and expected to send them a letter on July 27, 2007containing the names and contact information for the 11 companies listed below.

Once the letter isreceived, the C-TPAT certified companies will then notify CBP if they wish to participate in the pilot program (participation is voluntary) and if so, select a third party validator from the list below.

11 of 24 Applicants Were Selected to be Third Party Validators

According to CBP, it received a total of 24 applications for validators for the third party validator pilot. CBP conducted an extensive review of the applications and found that a total of 17 had complied with all of the announced criteria. CBP then found 11 of the applications substantive enough in operational aspects to warrant selection for the third party validation pilot program. CBP states that on June 28, 2007, email letters of selection and non-selection were sent to all 24 applicants.

According to CBP, this updated message serves as a public notice on the selection of the following 11 companies for the third party validation pilot:

* The above list reflects the addition of Bureau Veritas Group Company, which was not included in CBP's initial (early July 2007) list of validators selected for the third party validator pilot. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/03/07 news, 07070305, for BP summary of CBP's initial list of validators.)

CBP updated list of validators for C-TPAT third party validation pilot available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/third_ptyselec.ctt/third_ptyselec.doc.