TIA and CBP Advance C-TPAT Pilot Collaboration

Building on the successful passage of the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Pilot Program Act of 2023 (S. 794 / Public Law No. 118-98) in October of 2024, the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) held a meeting with leadership from U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Trade Relations (OTR) and the Office of Field Operations (OFO) to discuss cross border facilitation.

Program expansion to non-asset-based brokers – a win for TIA and the supply chain – marks a transformative moment for the 3PL industry. Historically excluded from C-TPAT eligibility, non-asset-based Department of Transportation licensed brokers play a critical role in supply chain security through carrier vetting, cargo routing, and fraud prevention.

Purpose of the Meeting

The meeting marks a critical step in aligning CBP and the brokerage community around shared goals of national security and trade facilitation. TIA leadership expressed the Association’s ongoing commitment to building a long-term, collaborative partnership with CBP. The discussion focused on two main objectives:

• Identifying how non-asset-based 3PLs can meaningfully contribute to the development and success of the C-TPAT framework.
• Outlining the next steps in implementing the pilot program for the inclusion of freight brokers.

C-TPAT Pilot Program: Overview

TIA and the broader industry will be able to engage with the Agency once it publishes the Federal Register Notice (FRN), which will outline pilot eligibility, application requirements, and security criteria. General process steps for the development of the pilot program and assessing its effectiveness include:

• Establishing Minimum Security Criteria (MSC) appropriate for 3PLs
• Conducting on-site validation visits for participants
• Releasing a DHS report to Congress within 6 months of pilot completion
• Supporting an independent GAO evaluation of the pilot’s effectiveness
• Pilot Participants: 10 Non-Asset-Based 3PLs (licensed brokers)

Looking Ahead

TIA will continue to engage the Agency and industry stakeholders throughout the development and implementation process. The addition of DOT licensed freight brokers to the C-TPAT program not only enhances national security but also recognizes the indispensable role of our industry in the modern supply chain. TIA will alert members as soon as the FRN is published, providing an opportunity to submit formal comments and shape the program’s design. Additional working sessions with CBP will be forthcoming to address industry-specific standards, technology alignment, and validation processes tailored to brokers of all sizes.

Stay tuned for continued updates as TIA leads the charge on 3PL C-TPAT implementation and industry engagement!

 To learn more about C-TPAT [CLICK HERE]