How to reduce border crossing time

Would you like to reduce your border crossing time from Mexico to the U.S., and in the meantime, decrease your expenses and arrive on time for your customers? Well, there is a way! Continue reading to learn more about C-TPAT.

C-TPAT is a security program created by the U.S. government after the 09/11 attacks.

With this program, the U.S. government works with the “good guys” of the trade community to implement security best practices. All participants in the supply chain must comply with these practices to minimize the risk of having contamination in their shipments by the “bad guys.”

These are eight main components of C-TPAT:

·        Business Partners

Partners include every supplier that interacts with your supply chain such as transportation, customs brokers, warehouses, and manufacturing companies.

o  You need to have a process in place for the selection of your business partners.

o  In order to do business with you, your partners are required to comply with the minimum security criteria established by C-TPAT.

o  We recommend that you audit your partners every six months to verify that they remain in compliance with security measures. Remember, they are your partners. If you help them and work together through this process, they are secure, and your cargo will be secure.

 ·        Container and Trailer Security

Companies may use several techniques to comply with this component.

o  Inspect all trailers and containers as they exit your facility. Keep all the evidence of the inspection, including photos, videos, and inspection forms.

o  Trucks should have GPS and an employee assigned to monitor the cargo.

o  For extra security, the addition of K9 inspection to all of your shipments is recommended.

o  Companies may also hire a cargo security escort from the facility to the border.

 ·        Physical Access Controls

Companies must control who accesses the facility including employees, vendors, visitors, and partners. Clarify how you give access and which areas they can access.

 ·        Personnel Security

This is highly critical. Employees can either hinder us by keeping the bad guys inside the supply chain or help us by being alert to the bad guys. The minimum you should verify for your employees is their employment history and their personal references. Additionally, do a background check as well as a drug test.

·        Physical security

Your building should be protected with alarm and camera systems. The warehouse and the shipping and receiving areas should be fenced. The gates for the entry of the vehicles should be monitored.

 ·        Information Technology

Cyberattacks on companies have become commonplace. Make sure you have a robust IT system that protects the integrity of your data, identifies the improper access of the data, and prevents tampering or altering your business information.

 ·        Security Training and Threat Awareness

We already mentioned that your employees are critical for the security of your organization. You must invest time, money, and effort into training your personnel. At a minimum, the trainings should cover cargo integrity, recognition of internal conspiracies, and access control protection.

 ·        Process and Procedure

To comply with C-TPAT, you need to create a security manual for all employees. A designated employee who will act as the head of security and compliance

will be in charge of the manual.  

As you can see, it’s easy to reduce time at the border, decrease expenses and be on time for your customers! Benefits of becoming a C-TPAT member:

·        Use of the FAST Lane

·        Reduced number of CBP cargo examinations

·        Front of the line placement for inspections

·        Shorter border crossings

 You can also check this information my youtube video

If you have any question send me an email or give me your comments below.

Dave Mountain [email protected]