CBP recently advised the importing community of the quickly approaching deadline for C-TPAT participants to update their security profiles on the agency’s new Portal website.
The C-TPAT Security Link Portal became operational on June 1, 2006. The new C-TPAT Internet Application and Communications Portal was established to improve the processing and communication between CBP and all C-TPAT participants. CBP has published a Questions & Answers on the Security Link Portal on their website.
- The Portal will permit participants to:
- Enter new applications.
- Instantly submit information updates and add new information.
- Maintain a "living" Supply Chain Security Profile that can be updated as needed and must be updated and re-certified on a yearly basis.
- Communicate directly with CBP C-TPAT and/or their designated C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Specialists using a secure system.
- Receive information directly from CBP to include cargo security alerts and sanitized intelligence information.
- Maintain a list of authorized users.
However, the C-TPAT Security Link Internet Portal will become mandatory for all participants as of October 1, 2006. Failure to update the information on the CBP Portal by October 1 will result in the withdrawal of the C-TPAT participant’s application, the cancellation of all C-TPAT benefits, including reduced and expedited CBP exam processing and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lane access, and the need for the company to re-apply for the C-TPAT program. As a result, it is strongly advised that all C-TPAT participants who have not yet done so immediately undated their profile data on the new CBP web Portal.