July 15, 2004 

C-TPAT Is About to get a lot tougher ……… Are You Ready?

We are starting to see that Companies, Carriers and Drivers that are C-TPAT MEMBERS.. DO HAVE PRIVILEGES!

Locally in Windsor, FAST approved loads are afforded the benefits of the Left Hand Lane on Huron Church Road leading to the Ambassador Bridge. These approved carriers are provided a FAST placard that they display in the windshield of their truck and they bypass all the "MIDDLE LANE TRUCKS" as they as dubbed.

C-TPAT approved importers are also benefiting from U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP)  new Advanced Cargo Information (ACI). These member companies will only have to notify CBP ½ hour prior to the shipment arriving at the Border while all others must notify at least 1 hour prior to.

We have received numerous calls from our clients who are starting to receive letters from their customers who have applied for C-TPAT. These letters are very specific in that they state they require acknowledgement that you as a supplier have Reviewed and Understand the Security Recommendations Provided by CBP and will take steps to improve security as needed.
This is only the Tip of the Iceberg, you will start seeing more of these.

CAN YOU WAIT TILL C-TPAT MAY BECOME MANDATORY??