The International Cargo Security Council (ICSC) has reported a sharp increase in the number of U.S. and other countries' firms signing up to be C-TPAT complaint. Over 9,000 firms have signed up to join the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) to secure the U.S. supply chain.
The ICSC also reports a sharp rise in the number of companies that have signed up for C-TPAT services. The most popular program is the C-TPAT foreign-supplier assessment service. Under this program, the foreign supplier pays for the assessment and, if they pass, receives an ICSC C-TPAT compliance certificate. This certificate can be used by the foreign supplier to demonstrate compliance to all their customers.
According to Scott Smith, ICSC chairman, logistics and security managers are experiencing lower transportation costs, speedier port and border crossings, and less shrinkage. Foreign manufacturers strive hard to obtain a C-TPAT certificate because it provides them with a competitive advantage and eliminates the resources they would spend as a result of multiple client C-TPAT assessments.
