On May 27, 2022, the TIA announced that the US Senate passed the “C-TPAT Pilot Program Act of 2021.” The TIA views this as a major breakthrough for its 3PL members.

The C-TPAT stands for Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorisms. As a voluntary program, participants work to protect supply chains from concealment of terrorists’ weapons including weapons of mass destruction. It was first formed in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks. The purpose of the program is to get the business community involved to ensure that goods imported to the United States are safe.

Up until now, 3PLs were excluded from the program, but with the passing of the C-TPAT Pilot Program, this is about to change. For 20 years, non-asset based 3PLs were prohibited from participating, but with the Senate passing this Act, they are one step closer to being eligible.

The pilot program created by this legislation will allow up to ten DOT-licensed property brokers and ten warehouse entities to be C-TPAT certified. This will make way for TIA 3PL members to take active parts in our homeland security. Not only will this Act increase security, but it will also help promote increases in jobs and business.

The TIA passed this exciting news along to its members in the release of the following statement:

“On behalf of TIA and our almost 2,000 member companies, we are excited to have additional movement on a piece of legislation that is crucial to our membership base. This policy is common sense, long overdue, and should be quickly put on President Biden’s desk for signature.”