Phase or Stage One: Notification
Your CBP C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Specialist (SCSS) will provide you with a written notification of the scheduled onsite Validation. The notice will be issued at least thirty days prior to the start of the Validation and will include a request for supporting documentation or materials, if any. CBP will revisit your company within three years of the initial Validation.
Phase or Stage Two: Conference Call
Under normal circumstances, the Validation will begin with a briefing over the phone. The CBP C-TPAT Validation team will discuss the participant’s role in the C-TPAT program. The CBP C-TPAT Validation team will also focus on the scope of the Validation including locations throughout the companies international supply chain. If additional information is required to validate a portion of a C-TPAT participant’s supply chain, the vCBP C-TPAT Validation team will coordinate the required request with the company officials.
Phase or Stage Three: The Visit
A validation visit is a detailed review of the your company's security procedures to determine if sufficient security procedures are in place to meet current C-TPAT requirements for your type of company. The specific sites of the validation visits will be determined based on the risk analysis and coordinated with the C-TPAT participant representative. A Validation may require multiple visits at foreign locations. The visits are usually performed in no more than a day per location. At the conclusion of the Validation, the CBP C-TPAT Validation team will hold an informal wrap-up meeting, whereby the SCSS will review the issues and concerns.
Phase or Stage Four: Validation Report
Within 3-6 months, you will receive a Validation Report, from your C-TPAT SCSS. The Validation Report includes an overview of the company’s history, operations, actions required (items that must be corrected or implemented) and recommendations. The Validation Report may also include best practices that the company has in place.
If significant supply chain security weaknesses or recommendations are found, a participant’s C-TPAT benefits may be suspended or removed depending on the circumstances. If a company has their C-TPAT benefits suspended, C-TPAT will recommend that the company implement an action plan containing corrective actions to address specific supply chain security weaknesses.
Phase or Stage Six: Respond to the Validation Report
A detailed response to each of the actions required or recommendations in the Validation Report must be provided to CBP within ninety (90) days. If your company does not respond within the 90 day response period, your company will be suspended from the C-TPAT program.
Phase or Stage Seven: Post Initial Validation
U.S./Mexico Highway Carriers undergo a C-TPAT Re-Validation every year whereas all other companies undergo a visit every 2-3 years. Be ready for your C-TPAT Validation with the assistance from Trans-Border Group! Trans-Border Group will prepare you for your upcoming C-TPAT Validation by:
- conducting an on-site assessment of your key location(s)
- meeting with management prior to the Validation
- preparing a Post Assessment Report which consists of an analysis with our observations, actions required and recommendations
- updating the C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Profile(s)
- submitting an updated C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Profile(s) with CBP
- preparing presentation for the day of the Validation
- attending the Validation
- preparing a response to the C-TPAT Validation Report and file with CBP
Contact Trans-Border Group today for a detailed project proposal.