Dec. 21, 2023 (Des Plaines, Ill.) – Today, IWLA President and CEO Jay Strother issued a statement in response to the introduction of H.R. 6876, the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) Pilot Program Act of 2023, a bill to require a pilot program on the participation of third-party logistics providers in the CTPAT Program, sponsored by Representatives Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Rob Menendez (D-NJ), Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-KS):

“IWLA and its members are eager to participate in the Customs and Border Protection’s CTPAT program, a vital partnership between CBP and the trade community to boost U.S. border security and maintain resilient international supply chains. While more than 11,000 certified partners currently participate in the CTPAT program, 3PL warehouses, which serve an important role in the international supply chain, are currently excluded from the program. This exclusion forces them to undergo redundant CBP examinations and forego the benefits of expedited freight and the increased efficiencies that CTPAT provides. 

“The CTPAT Pilot Program Act will at long last remove the barriers that prevent 3PL warehouses from obtaining CTPAT designation. IWLA is eager to work with CBP to show our adherence to CTPAT security criteria and demonstrate that the inclusion of 3PLs in the program will serve to enhance border security, help combat terrorism, and prevent supply chain security breaches. 

“IWLA thanks Representative Slotkin for the introduction of this important bill, and we urge Congress to expeditiously pass the CTPAT Pilot Program Act to allow 3PLs to participate in the CTPAT program, which has proven to bolster international supply chain efficiencies while providing an added layer of security to America’s borders.” 

For background, the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) is a voluntary public-private sector partnership program between supply chain leaders and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that allows companies to expedite freight through the country to reduce trade and supply chain disruptions while keeping U.S. borders secure. The program recognizes that CBP can provide the highest level of cargo security only through close cooperation with the principle stakeholders of the international supply chain such as importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers. The legislation would establish a pilot program to include 3PL warehouses and freight brokers in the Customs and Border Protection’s CTPAT program and would allow ten 3PL warehouses and ten freight brokers to take part in the pilot. 

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