Please see the important message received from Customs on the C-TPAT benefits when it comes to the ISF 10+2 Regulation:

The C-TPAT program continues to evolve with respect to providing benefits to its partners in return for proof of strong supply chains.

Section 203 of the SAFE Port Act of 2006 mandated U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) develop a regulation which required additional data elements be provided to the agency, as advanced information, prior to vessel lading.

After several years of development and proactive consultation with industry stakeholders, CBPs requirement became effective on January 26, 2009. The Importer Security Filing (ISF) and Additional Carrier Requirements known simply as 10+2 significantly increases the scope and accuracy of information gathered on the goods, conveyances and entities involved in the shipment of cargo to the United States.

CBP has committed to a 1-year delayed enforcement period in order to provide the trade time to make the necessary changes to their business processes. The Guidelines for the Assessment and Cancellation of Claims for Liquidated Damages for Failure to Comply with the Vessel Stow Plan, Container Status Message, and Importer Security Filing Requirements have been finalized and will be published in the Customs Bulletin shortly.

Please be advised that under these guidelines, certain C-TPAT partners will be eligible for additional mitigation - up to 50% of the normal mitigation amount. This benefit is available only to those partners who have excelled in their commitment to supply chain security and in their partnership with CBP, and we encourage you to review the Customs Bulletin for further information.

Since its inception C-TPAT has made important strides in developing program benefits and will continue to explore new benefits that are relevant to a security focused program. CBP encourages its C-TPAT members, as its trusted partners, to ensure full compliance with the ISF well in advance of the January 2010 deadline.

CBP thanks the C-TPAT members for their commitment to maintain the highest level of supply chain security.