Compliance Management
Reduce Your Compliance Risks
We help you understand the regulations that matter to you and we ensure you are current on updates and changes to compliance.
Our Expertise in Compliance Management
Managing the complexities of US import regulations can be a burden to your resources and negatively affect your compliance with government agencies.
When you partner with IBI, you are equipped with the tools and resources you need to support compliance with Customs and partner agency regulations.
IBI helps you ensure due diligence is practiced and observed. Let us help you.
Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT)
What is CTPAT?
CTPAT acts as a “multi-layered cargo enforcement strategy” to account for potential breaches in security, as goods are imported into the US by having applicants outline those parties involved in shipping their goods from the country of origin into its facility.
Why? This is to improve U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) ability to identify high-risk shipments in order to prevent smuggling and ensure cargo safety and security.
ISF does not replace the AMS (Automated Manifest System) filing, but instead is additional information required by U.S. Customs
Effective 2020, all foreign stuffing facilities, such as foreign suppliers and/or foreign consolidators, must conduct Security and Agricultural inspections of empty conveyances and Instruments of International Traffic (IIT).
This consists of a seven/eight-point inspection process for empty containers prior to the loading of cargo as well as the seventeen- point inspection process for all trailers/tractors and pest contamination inspection (identification & removal of pests inside, platform around container stuffing area, bottom of container, surface that container/chassis sits on or replacement of container if pest removal cannot be accomplished).
In addition, CTPAT requires the inspection of doors, hasps, handles, rods, rivets, brackets, container locking mechanism to detect tampering and inconsistencies prior to attaching the seal.
Benefits of Becoming CTPAT Certified
If you move goods across the U.S. border, you have probably heard of the CTPAT program. CTPAT was put in place by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The program puts the onus on companies to implement security best practices across the supply chain with the goal of ensuring the safety of goods entering the country.
CTPAT is like TSA Precheck for all cargo. Becoming CTPAT certified is voluntary. Read on to learn more about the benefits of becoming CTPAT Certified.
Import cargo inspection may be reduced or expedited mitigating inspection, customs and cargo fees.
CTPAT certification helps to expedite your goods across the border, to meet your supply chain deadlines.
- Shorter wait times at the border
- Access to the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lanes at the borders with Canada and Mexico
- Fewer CBP inspections, plus the ability to skip ahead of non CTPAT certified containers
- Faster cargo release
There will always be risk gaps in an international supply chain. The CTPAT program criteria helps you to build a safety net to best monitor and assess risk. In the event of audit or penalty, being a member of CTPAT is part of your risk mitigating factors. Discussions with US Customs and government agencies will center around your company’s diligence to the program.
Many domestic companies will only do business with CTPAT certified partners. This gives you a competitive edge by enhancing your brand and providing you with an important certification to include on your marketing material.
IBI participates in the CTPAT program as a Customs Broker. It is our responsibility to educate trade partners. Learn more about CTPAT to become a certified partner.