News / CBP looks to extend CTPAT accreditation to US forwarders and 3PLs

Photo: © Danielfela

US freight forwarders and warehouse-based logistics providers are on a path to security accreditation for BCOs.

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency is preparing a pilot programme to extend its Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) beyond cargo owners, to logistics providers.

The programme, which is expected to run up to five years, will include up to 20 participants, recruited in equal parts from forwarders and asset-based 3PLs. Applicants will be reviewed by a supply chain security specialist, whose approval opens the door to the set of ‘Minimum Security Requirements’ and inspection criteria under which current CTPAT members operate.

The expectation is that aligning logistics providers with cargo owners will improve visibility and accountability along the supply chain.

According to CBP, the pilot aims to assess “whether allowing both non asset-based and asset-based 3PLs to participate in CTPAT would enhance port security, assist in combatting terrorism, prevent supply chain breaches, or otherwise meet the goals of CTPAT.”

Brandon Fried, executive director of the Airforwarders’ Association, has been involved in the establishment of airfreight security programmes since US efforts shifted into high gear after the 9/11 terror attacks. He regards the pilot as “a promising development”.

He added: “If done right, it could make life easier for forwarders by better aligning security expectations across the supply chain, reducing duplicative audits, and giving CBP more visibility into how cargo actually moves in today’s outsourced logistics environment. Forwarders already play a central role in security, compliance, and data integrity — this pilot acknowledges that reality.”

The Transportation Intermediaries Association also welcomed the move, commenting that it should speed up the customs clearance process and reassure cargo owners that their freight is handled by certified partners.

Mr Fried pointed out that CTPAT is not altogether ‘terra incognita’ to many forwarders. The TSA has allowed cargo agents to participate, but on an inconsistent, not clearly defined basis.

“What’s notable about this pilot is that CBP is explicitly opening the door wider and testing how those providers can be more formally and uniformly integrated into the programme,” he said.

Team Worldwide has been an early participant, adopting and fully complying with the full CTPAT programme for shippers.

“Some of this doesn’t make sense. We had to create procedures for some steps as an importer,” said its EVP international, Bob Imbriani. The new programme should reflect the reality of the forwarding industry and its processes better, he added.

By his estimate, about 20% of forwarders in the US have gone for CTPAT accreditation, which involves the formulation of a security protocol, self-audits, and internal reviews, as well as regular reviews by TSA-approved auditors.

Forwarders that have qualified airfreight security programmes should find the qualification process easier than NVOs, as many of the procedures and elements in the security programme for indirect air carriers match or exceed CTPAT requirements, Mr Imbriani thinks.

Details of CBP requirements for applications, as well as an official timeline for joining and being admitted to the programme, are still up in the air. Government agencies have some catching up to do after the lengthy shutdown, forwarders pointed out. Moreover, many senior officials have taken the administration’s offer of early retirement, so a number of positions are occupied by new appointees and some are still vacant.

Mr Fried advocated that forwarders that already participate in TSA’s Certified Cargo Screening Standard Security Programme should be given preference, as both this programme and CTPAT require significant facility access controls, employee vetting, and documented operational procedures.

“Recognising that overlap would avoid redundant requirements and reward companies that have already made serious security investments,” he argued.

“The real value of the pilot will come down to execution. If CBP applies requirements that reflect how forwarders actually operate – and if participation delivers real benefits rather than another compliance layer – it could be a win for both industry and government. In short, it’s a constructive step, worth watching closely, and potentially very helpful – but the details will matter,” he commented.