July 7, 2009

U.S. Customs and Border Protection's New York/Newark Area Port has issued an Informational Pipeline stating that it will give Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism importers the benefit of expeditious completion of CBP-mandated cargo examinations.

Containers consigned to a C-TPAT importer that are designated for drayage to a Centralized Examination Station (CES) for a CBP Enforcement, Trade, or Agriculture examination, will clearly be designated as "C-TPAT Priority," on the Permit to Transfer or CF3461 document faxed to the CES facility. The CES facility will in turn dray to their facility, and present for examination, the C-TPAT Priority cargo before non-C-TPAT designated containerized cargo.

In order to identify C-TPAT importers, and ensure priority treatment is afforded, it is strongly recommended that Customs brokers/filers file entries three to five days prior to vessel arrival. These procedures will facilitate the expectations of C-TPAT importers by ensuring the subject containers will be given priority consideration by CES facilities.