What is C-TPAT certification?

U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, or C-TPAT, certification is an assessment process that ensures the supply chain of suppliers and vendors that import or export cargo meet certain security and safety standards. C-TPAT is run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

A company with appropriate C-TPAT certification must demonstrate that it has a documented process that identifies potential risk points throughout its supply chain and documented steps to alleviate any potential associated risks. A company that is certified is classified as low risk, which helps to expedite cargo processing and subjects the company to minimal vetting and examination by U.S. Customs.