27 August 2003

Dear Sirs,

The US Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) (previously the US Customs Service) has announced that membership for the "Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism" (C-TPAT) programme would be made available to foreign manufacturers by a phased approach. The initial phase of enrolment started on 18 August 2003 and is open to Mexican manufacturers, Mexico related parties and a selected group of foreign manufacturers in Asia and Europe that will be invited to participate directly by CBP.

2. The C-TPAT programme is currently open to US importers, carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, non-vessel operating common carriers and US domestic marine port authorities and terminal operators. Traders may refer to Commercial Information Circulars Nos. 58/02, 137/02, 172/02 and 27/2003 dated 28 March 2002, 24 July 2002, 26 August 2002 and 21 January 2003 respectively for information. Traders may also visit the website of CBP (http://www.cbp.gov) for details on application procedure, agreement to voluntarily participate, security profile questionnaires for each specific sector in the supply chain etc.

3. For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at 2398 5682.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Sofie Chow)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry