Assessment of Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) Program

Final Report

Abstract

The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) Program was established in November 2001 to enhance United States border security via strengthening international supply chains. As part of a multi-layered cargo enforcement program, CTPAT has evolved into an effective public-private partnership to facilitate flows of cargo through ports of entry while maintaining the rigorous security standards inherent in CBP field operations. This voluntary program involves principle stakeholders of the international supply chain such as importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers. The statutory framework for the CTPAT program was provided by the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006.

A report from the Government Accounting Office published in February 2017 (GAO-17-84) highlighted deficiency in the program’s ability to demonstrate member benefits. The initial project period will focus on collecting the necessary data to identify the CTPAT trouble areas and provide recommendations for how to improve the program through staffing, policy and messaging. In addition, the project will identify a return on investment in CTPAT, e.g., supply chain security specialist workload and use of time, as well as identify the most beneficial attributes for Trade partners. The second period of the project will elucidate the cost savings to the US Government, cost savings to the Trade partners and provide a means to calculate and quantify observed savings in accordance with the Government Performance Results Act and performance metrics organization.