Results of a Prestigious C-TPAT Report

Issue 028, September 18, 2007

The highly regarded University of Virginia Cost/Benefit Survey for members of the Customs–Trade Partnership Against Terrorism is on the Customs and Border Protection web site. This link goes to its title page.

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/ctpat_cost_survey.ctt/ctpat_cost_survey.pdf

A University of Virginia research team headed by two Ph.D.s wrote the 152 page report. It used the following nine (9) questions to explore every aspect of this Trade security program. It especially wanted to find whether or not members thought C-TPAT’s benefits are worth the $40,000 average cost to join.

The report examines everything known about C-TPAT through April 2007. It uses lots of color graphs and easy to read text.

1. What motivates a company to become a partner?
2. What are the costs of implementation?
3. What are the costs of maintenance?
4. What are the tangible benefits?
5. What are the intangible benefits?
6. How do cost/benefits differ among company types?
7. Do the benefits outweigh the costs?
8. What is the overall evaluation of the program?
9. What is the likelihood of a partner staying with the program?

Over 1,750 importers, carriers, service providers, and foreign manufacturers completed the questionnaire, which is included as an attachment. Start at the table of contents. It has something for everyone.

Sincerely,

Ron Reuben
Regulatory and Customs Compliance Consultant; Licensed Customs Broker; NCBFAA Certified Customs Specialist