Eligibility
CTPAT Program
Minimum Security Criteria (MSC)
Third Party Logistics Providers
Third Party Logistics Providers
Requirements:
- Be directly involved in the handling and management of international cargo destined for the U.S. Entities which only provide domestic services and are not engaged in cross border activities are not eligible.
- Manage and execute these particular logistics functions using its own transportation, consolidation and/or warehousing assets and resources, on behalf of the client company.
- Does not allow subcontracting of service beyond a second party other than to other CTPAT Members (does not allow the practice of "double brokering", that is, the 3PL may contract with a service provider, but may not allow that contractor to further subcontract the actual provision of this service).
- Be licensed and/or bonded by the Federal Maritime Commission, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- Designate a company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for CTPAT.
- Sign the "CTPAT-Partner Agreement to Voluntarily Participate" and demonstrate commitment to the obligations outlined in this Agreement. This document is signed by a Company officer when the company applies for CTPAT membership via the CTPAT Portal.
- Complete a supply chain security profile in the CTPAT Portal, identifying how the company meets and maintains the Program's MSC for 3PL's.
- Maintain no evidence of financial debt to CBP for which the responsible party has exhausted all administrative and judicial remedies for relief, a final judgment or administrative disposition has been rendered, and the final bill or debt remains unpaid at the time of the initial application or annual renewal.
- Maintain a staffed office in the United States.
Air Carriers
Air Carriers
Requirements:
- Be an active Air Carrier that transports (within the last year) cargo shipments to the U.S.
- Have an active International Air Transport Association (IATA) Code.
- Possess a valid continuous international carrier bond registered with CBP.
- Designate a company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for CTPAT.
- Sign the "CTPAT-Partner Agreement to Voluntarily Participate" and demonstrate commitment to the obligations outlined in this Agreement. This document is signed by a Company officer when the company applies for CTPAT membership via the CTPAT Portal.
- Complete a supply chain security profile in the CTPAT Portal, identifying how the company meets and maintains the Program's MSC for Air Carriers.
- Maintain no evidence of financial debt to CBP for which the responsible party has exhausted all administrative and judicial remedies for relief, a final judgment or administrative disposition has been rendered, and the final bill or debt remains unpaid at the time of the initial application or annual renewal.
Consolidators
Consolidators
Requirements:
- Be an active Air Freight Consolidator, Ocean Transportation Intermediary or Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC).
- Have a business office staffed in the U.S.
- If applicable, have an active Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued Organization Number or an International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued Organization Number in the following format: ###### FMC Organization Number and ###### IATA Organization Number.
- Possess a valid continuous international carrier bond and/or a type 2 custodial bond registered with CBP.
- Designate a company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for CTPAT.
- Sign the "CTPAT-Partner Agreement to Voluntarily Participate" and demonstrate commitment to the obligations outlined in this Agreement. This document is signed by a Company officer when the company applies for CTPAT membership via the CTPAT Portal.
- Complete a supply chain security profile in the CTPAT Portal, identifying how the company meets and maintains the Program's MSC for Consolidators.
- Maintain no evidence of financial debt to CBP for which the responsible party has exhausted all administrative and judicial remedies for relief, a final judgment or administrative disposition has been rendered, and the final bill or debt remains unpaid at the time of the initial application or annual renewal.
Customs Brokers
Customs Brokers
Requirements:
- Be an active Licensed U.S. Customs Broker. Active is defined as having conducted work as a U.S. Customs Broker within the past year.
- Have a business office staffed in the United States.
- an active U.S. Customs Broker's license and filer code of record ID in the following formats: ##### Customs Broker's License Serial Number / ### Filer Code.
- Designate a company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for CTPAT.
- Sign the "CTPAT-Partner Agreement to Voluntarily Participate" and demonstrate commitment to the obligations outlined in this Agreement. This document is signed by a Company officer when the company applies for CTPAT membership via the CTPAT Portal.
- Complete a supply chain security profile in the CTPAT Portal, identifying how the company meets and maintains the Program's MSC for U.S. Customs Brokers.
- Maintain no evidence of financial debt to CBP for which the responsible party has exhausted all administrative and judicial remedies for relief, a final judgment or administrative disposition has been rendered, and the final bill or debt remains unpaid at the time of the initial application or annual renewal.
Exporters
Exporters
Requirements:
- Be an active U.S. Exporter.
- Have a business office staffed in the U.S.
- Have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), or a Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS) number.
- Designate a company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for CTPAT.
- Sign the "CTPAT-Partner Agreement to Voluntarily Participate" and demonstrate commitment to the obligations outlined in this Agreement. This document is signed by a Company officer when the company applies for CTPAT membership via the CTPAT Portal.
- Complete a supply chain security profile in the CTPAT Portal, identifying how the company meets and maintains the Program's MSC for U.S. Exporters.
- Have an acceptable level of compliance for export reporting for the latest 12-month period and be in good standing with U.S. Regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Departments of Commerce, State, Treasury, and Defense; and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
- Maintain no evidence of financial debt to CBP for which the responsible party has exhausted all administrative and judicial remedies for relief, a final judgment or administrative disposition has been rendered, and the final bill or debt remains unpaid at the time of the initial application or annual renewal.
Foreign Manufacturers
Foreign Manufacturers
Requirements:
- Be an active Manufacturer incorporated in Mexico or Canada. Copies of the company's certificate of incorporation must be made available upon request by CTPAT.
- Have an active U.S. Customs and Border Protection Manufacturer Identification (MID) Number.
- If applicable, Mexican based companies must provide the business' "Acta Constitutiva", which lists the full legal name of the company, and the full name of each owner or officer within the company.
- Mexican based companies must provide the RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes), issued by the Mexican Tax Administration Service or SAT. The RFC is the unique business/tax identifier made up of letters and numbers. RFCs are 12 characters long for companies, LLCs and partnerships (Persona Moral); or 13 characters long for persons or proprietorships (Persona Física).
- Provide CTPAT with the correct Manufacturer Identification Number or MID number. This MID number must be constructed from the name and address of the manufacturer where the cargo originated. If an entry filed fails to include a properly constructed MID number, the entry may be rejected and any associated CTPAT benefits will be negated.
- Designate a company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for CTPAT.
- Sign the "CTPAT-Partner Agreement to Voluntarily Participate" and demonstrate commitment to the obligations outlined in this Agreement. This document is signed by a Company officer when the company applies for CTPAT membership via the CTPAT Portal.
- Complete a supply chain security profile in the CTPAT Portal, identifying how the company meets and maintains the Program's MSC for Foreign Manufacturers.
- Maintain no evidence of financial debt to CBP for which the responsible party has exhausted all administrative and judicial remedies for relief, a final judgment or administrative disposition has been rendered, and the final bill or debt remains unpaid at the time of the initial application or annual renewal.
Highway Carriers
Highway Carriers
Requirements:
- Be an active international border crossing U.S./Mexico or U.S./Canada Highway Carrier. When applying, carriers will be designated as either Mexican or Canadian based on where the company crosses goods. If your company crosses freight on both borders, you should apply under the Mexican Carrier designation.
- If applicable, Mexican based companies must provide the business' "Acta Constitutiva", which lists the full legal name of the company, and the full name of each owner or officer within the company.
- Mexican based companies must provide the RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes), issued by the Mexican Tax Administration Service or SAT. The RFC is the unique business/tax identifier made up of letters and numbers. RFCs are 12 characters long for companies, LLCs and partnerships (Persona Moral); or 13 characters long for persons or proprietorships (Persona Física).
- Have a business office staffed in the U.S., Mexico or Canada.
- Have an active U.S. National Motor Freight Traffic Association Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC Code / four Alpha Characters) and a U.S. Department of Transportation Number (DOT Number / six digits).
- Designate a company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for CTPAT.
- Sign the "CTPAT-Partner Agreement to Voluntarily Participate" and demonstrate commitment to the obligations outlined in this Agreement. This document is signed by a Company officer when the company applies for CTPAT membership via the CTPAT Portal.
- Complete a supply chain security profile in the CTPAT Portal, identifying how the company meets and maintains the Program's MSC for U.S. Highway Carriers.
- Maintain no evidence of financial debt to CBP for which the responsible party has exhausted all administrative and judicial remedies for relief, a final judgment or administrative disposition has been rendered, and the final bill or debt remains unpaid at the time of the initial application or annual renewal.
Importers
Importers
Requirements:
- Be an active U.S. Importer or Non-Resident Canadian Importer. Active is defined as having imported goods into the U.S. within the past 12 months.
- Have and maintain an active U.S. Importer of record (IOR) number in one of the following formats: U.S. Social Security Number, Internal Revenue Service assigned ID(s), or CBP assigned Importer ID.
- Have and maintain a valid continuous import bond registered with CBP and operate a business office staffed in the United States or Canada.
- Designate a company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for CTPAT.
- Sign the "CTPAT-Partner Agreement to Voluntarily Participate" and demonstrate commitment to the obligations outlined in this Agreement. This document is signed by a Company officer when the company applies for CTPAT membership via the CTPAT Portal.
- Complete a supply chain security profile in the CTPAT Portal, identifying how the company meets and maintains the Program's MSC for U.S. Importers.
- Maintain no evidence of financial debt to CBP for which the responsible party has exhausted all administrative and judicial remedies for relief, a final judgment or administrative disposition has been rendered, and the final bill or debt remains unpaid at the time of the initial application or annual renewal.
Long Haul Carriers in Mexico
Long Haul Carriers in Mexico
Requirements:
- Be an active Highway Carrier in Mexico.
- Does not cross the U.S. border, but transports cargo destined to the United States.
- Have an SCT Number issued by the Secretaría de Transportes y Comunicaciones (Mexican Department of Transportation).
- If applicable, Mexican based companies must provide the business' "Acta Constitutiva", which lists the full legal name of the company, and the full name of each owner or officer within the company.
- Mexican based companies must provide the RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes), issued by the Mexican Tax Administration Service or SAT. The RFC is the unique business/tax identifier made up of letters and numbers. RFCs are 12 characters long for companies, LLCs and partnerships (Persona Moral); or 13 characters long for persons or proprietorships (Persona Física).
- Designate a company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for CTPAT.
- Sign the "CTPAT-Partner Agreement to Voluntarily Participate" and demonstrate commitment to the obligations outlined in this Agreement. This document is signed by a Company officer when the company applies for CTPAT membership via the CTPAT Portal.
- Complete a supply chain security profile in the CTPAT Portal, identifying how the company meets and maintains the Program's MSC for Mexican Long Haul Highway Carriers.
- Maintain no evidence of financial debt to CBP for which the responsible party has exhausted all administrative and judicial remedies for relief, a final judgment or administrative disposition has been rendered, and the final bill or debt remains unpaid at the time of the initial application or annual renewal.
Marine Port Authority
and Terminal Operators
Marine Port Authority and Terminal Operations
Requirements:
Eligibility for U.S. based MPTO
- Be an active U.S. Marine Port Authority and Terminal Operator in the U.S.
- Handle cargo vessels arriving from international locations.
- Have a business office staffed in the U.S.
- Have an active Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Marine Terminal Operator (MTO) 6-digit FMC MTO Number.
- Designate a company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for CTPAT.
- Sign the "CTPAT-Partner Agreement to Voluntarily Participate" and demonstrate commitment to the obligations outlined in this Agreement. This document is signed by a Company officer when the company applies for CTPAT membership via the CTPAT Portal.
- Complete a supply chain security profile in the CTPAT Portal, identifying how the company meets and maintains the Program's MSC for MPTOs.
- Maintain no evidence of financial debt to CBP for which the responsible party has exhausted all administrative and judicial remedies for relief, a final judgment or administrative disposition has been rendered, and the final bill or debt remains unpaid at the time of the initial application or annual renewal.
Eligibility for foreign-based MPTO
To qualify for CTPAT as a Foreign-Based MPTO, a company must meet the same requirements as specified above except that:
- Company must be an active MPTO in an international location that received an invitation from CBP to join CTPAT.
- Instead of handling cargo vessels arriving from an international location, it must handle cargo vessels departing to the U.S.
Sea Carriers
Sea Carriers
Requirements:
- Be an active Sea Carrier that transports shipments internationally (within the last year) into the United States.
- Have a business office staffed in the United States.
- Have an active Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (VOCC) Number in the following format: ###### FMC VOCC Number.
- Have an active U.S. National Motor Freight Traffic Association issued Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) in the following format: #### SCAC Code (4 Alpha Characters).
- Possess a valid continuous international carrier bond registered with CBP.
- Designate a company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for CTPAT.
- Have a company representative at each seaport where the carrier operates for CBP to contact.
- Sign the "CTPAT-Partner Agreement to Voluntarily Participate" and demonstrate commitment to the obligations outlined in this Agreement. This document is signed by a Company officer when the company applies for CTPAT membership via the CTPAT Portal.
- Complete a supply chain security profile in the CTPAT Portal, identifying how the company meets and maintains the Program's MSC for Sea Carriers.
- Maintain no evidence of financial debt to CBP for which the responsible party has exhausted all administrative and judicial remedies for relief, a final judgment or administrative disposition has been rendered, and the final bill or debt remains unpaid at the time of the initial application or annual renewal.
Rail Carriers
Rail Carriers
Requirements:
- Be an active Rail Carrier transporting shipments from Canada or Mexico.
- If applicable, Mexican based companies must provide the business' "Acta Constitutiva", which lists the full legal name of the company, and the full name of each owner or officer within the company.
- Mexican based companies must provide the RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes), issued by the Mexican Tax Administration Service or SAT. The RFC is the unique business/tax identifier made up of letters and numbers. RFCs are 12 characters long for companies, LLCs and partnerships (Persona Moral); or 13 characters long for persons or proprietorships (Persona Física).
- Have at least one business office staffed in the U.S., Canada or Mexico.
- Have an active U.S. National Motor Freight Traffic Association Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC Code / four Alpha Characters).
- Possess a valid common carrier bond registered with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
- Designate a company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for CTPAT.
- Sign the "CTPAT-Partner Agreement to Voluntarily Participate" and demonstrate commitment to the obligations outlined in this Agreement. This document is signed by a Company officer when the company applies for CTPAT membership via the CTPAT Portal.
- Complete a supply chain security profile in the CTPAT Portal, identifying how the company meets and maintains the Program's MSC for Rail Carriers.
- Maintain no evidence of financial debt to CBP for which the responsible party has exhausted all administrative and judicial remedies for relief, a final judgment or administrative disposition has been rendered, and the final bill or debt remains unpaid at the time of the initial application or annual renewal.
NVOCC or Other Intermediary
NVOCC or Other Intermediary
Requirements:
- Be an active Air Freight Consolidator, Ocean Transportation Intermediary or Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC).
- Have an business office staffed in the United States.
- If applicable, have an active Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued Organization Number or an International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued Organization Number in the following format: ###### FMC Organization Number and ###### IATA Organization Number
- Possess a valid continuous international carrier bond and/or in bond/export consolidator bond (IBEC) registered with CBP.
- Have a designated company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for CTPAT.
- Commit to maintaining CTPAT supply chain security guidelines as outlined in the CTPAT consolidator agreement.
- Create and provide CBP with a CTPAT supply chain security profile, which identifies how the consolidator will meet, maintain and enhance internal policy to meet the CTPAT consolidator security guidelines.