LAREDO, TX – In order to facilitate legal trade, while ensuring that trusted traders take effective measures to secure the supply chain, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reiterated that the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) field office in Laredo, Texas, has been open since November 1.
The new office opened November 1, 2024 and is the seventh of its kind in the United States and a vital liaison based on the Southwest Border.
“Our CTPAT supply chain security specialists verify and ensure that applicants are taking the proper steps to ensure the security of their supply chains and processes,” said Deputy Executive Commissioner (Acting) Diane J. Sabatino, CBP Office of Field Operations.
CTPAT Director Dina Amato, CTPAT Division and Trusted Trade Partnership, detailed that having a CTPAT office in Laredo allows closer access for both the international trade community and CBP supply chain security specialists to validate CTPAT applications and review risk assessments.
Since its inception in November 2001, CTPAT has continued to grow. Currently, more than 11,400 certified partners, spanning the entire spectrum of the trade community, have been accepted into the program. Partners include U.S. importers/exporters; U.S./Canada truckload carriers; U.S./Mexico truckload carriers; U.S./Mexico truckload carriers; U.S./Mexico truckload carriers; and U.S./Mexico truckload carriers. /Mexico; rail and ocean carriers; licensed U.S. customs brokers; U.S. port authority/maritime terminal operators; U.S. freight consolidators; ocean freight brokers and non-operating common carriers; Mexican and Canadian manufacturers; and Mexican long-haul carriers, all of which account for more than 52% (by value) of U.S. imported cargo.
When an entity joins CTPAT, it commits to work with CBP to protect the supply chain, identify security gaps, and implement specific security measures and best practices.
