To C-TPAT or Not to C-TPAT, that is the Question

To view the results of the survey conducted by TBI, Download C-TPAT_Survey_12-07.pdf. Most recently these results have been presented to the CBP annual C-TPAT conference. While the results are more anecdotal than scientific, the sense is that C-TPAT is not a program whose time has come with SMEs. Alternately, most importer SMEs polled reported making improvements in their supply chain security since 9/11 regardless of participation in C-TPAT. These results were also presented to the World Customs Organization in Brussels at the December 2007 SAFE conference by TBI. Initially, I was amazed at the positive and interested response I received from the SAFE conference attendees. However, after sitting through one too many canned presentations of “County X, Y & Z’s security programs” I realized that real information from real companies was a breath of fresh air for the SAFE conference attendees. FYI, to our importer-exporter members, SurveyMonkey and its competitor Zoomerang are a great way to get feedback you’re your customers on how they rate your product/service and how you can improve your product/service. TBI will be using this tool going forward to keep in touch with the attitudes, opinions and needs of SME importers/exporters.