US Customs and Border protection officials are currently engaged in a review of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) security criteria for trucking companies, according to the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA).
Consultations with industry will continue over the coming months, with the expectation that changes will be finalized in the spring of 2006.
The revised security criteria, issued by Customs in draft form in October 2005, raise concerns from a number of standpoints, especially with regards to their impact on carrier operations, cost, and privacy laws applying to drivers, CTA said.
Some of the proposed changes include:
•For US bound shipments, C-TPAT highway carriers that subcontract transportation services to other highway carriers, must use other C-TPAT-approved highway carriers or carriers under direct control of the certified C-TPAT carrier through a written contract.
•Using a checklist, drivers should be trained to inspect their trailer and tractor for natural or hidden compartments. Training in conveyance searches should be adopted as part of the company’s on-the-job training program.
•The carrier must notify US Customs and Border Protection immediately of any structural changes to trailers, tractors, or other rolling-stock equipment that crosses the border.
CTA has the October draft on its Web site at cantruck.com.