Commercial Information Circulars
24-hour hotline : 23 922 922
e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk
Ref : EIC 111/2/16
20 March 2006
Dear Sirs,
Commercial Information Circular No. 106/2006
US : "Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism" (C-TPAT)- New
Minimum Security Criteria for Sea Carriers
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently released a set of C-TPAT minimum security criteria which are specifically for sea carriers (Annex A)(pdf format) .
DETAILS
- According to CBP's implementation plan (Annex B)(pdf format) , the minimum security criteria for sea carriers have become effective since 1 March 2006. Existing C-TPAT members, who are sea carriers, will be given 90 days from the effective date to meet or exceed the newly-released minimum security criteria. They are however not required to provide any written certification or re-submit their security profiles. CBP will use validations to gauge whether or not they have adopted the new security criteria after the 90-day implementation period. Sea carriers found to be deficient may have benefits suspended or removed from the program.
- For sea carriers applying to the C-TPAT program after 1 March 2006, they must demonstrate in their security self-assessment profiles that the new minimum security criteria are met or exceeded in order to be accepted by the program.
- CBP has also issued a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (Annex C)(pdf format) to facilitate understanding of the new security criteria. For questions or enquiries, traders are encouraged to reach CBP at email address : Industry.Partnership@dhs.gov .
ENQUIRIES
- For enquiries about the content of this circular, please contact Miss S Y TANG at telephone number 2398 5405.
Yours faithfully,
(Ms Charmaine LO)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry
Note : While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.