Logistics, Trade Administration and Supply Chain

A bill of lading is a document issued by a carrier to a shipper, signed by the captain, agent or owner of a vessel, furnishing written evidence regarding receipt of the cargo, the conditions on which transportation is made (contract of carriage) and the engagement to deliver goods as the prescribed port of destination to the lawful holder of the bill of lading. A bill of lading is, therefore both a receipt for the merchandise and a contract to deliver it as freight. There are a number of different types of bill of lading a number of issues that relate to them as a group of documents. Straight Bill of Lading (Non-Negotiable) A straight bill of lading indicates that the shipper will deliver the goods to the consignee. The document itself does not give title to the goods (making it non-negotiable). The consignee need only to identify himself to claim the goods. A straight bill of lading is often used when payment for the goods has already been made in advance or in cases where ...

Documents play a key role in international transactions. Both buyers and sellers need documents for bookkeeping, accounting, taxation, export and import formalities, as well as making payments using letters of credit and other documentary payment methods. This segment will give some examples of the most commonly used documents in the international trade. It is not an exhaustive listing. Specialized trades, special circumstances and different countries of origin and destination may require additional documentation. Transaction Documents The key transaction document is the invoice or commercial invoice. This document is used by all parties to the transaction for accounting and bookkeeping purposes. It is also required for export and import formalities as well as most banking and payment procedures. Export Documents These are documents required by the customs or national export authority of the country of export and vary greatly from country to country. Included are licenses,...

C-TPAT qualifications for air carriers: Active air carrier transporting cargo shipments to the US; Have an active Airline Code registered with CBP; Possess a valid continuous international carrier bond registered with the CBP; Have designated company official that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for the C-TPAT program; Commit to maintaining C-TPAT security guidelines for air carriers; Create and provide CBP with a C-TPAT supply chain security profile, which identifies how the air carrier will meet, maintain and enhance internal policy to meet the C-TPAT security guidelines for air carriers. Security Guidelines for Air Carriers Air Carriers must conduct a comprehensive assessment of their international supply chain based on the C-TPAT security guidelines. Where an air cargo outsource or contracts elements of their supply chain such as conveyance, foreign facility, domestic warehouses or any other elements, the air carrier must work with these busi...

Rail carrier must have written and verifiable processes for the screening of new business partners, including the carrier's agents, sub-contracted rail carriers, service providers as well as screening procedures for new customers, beyond financial soundness issues to include security indicators. These processes apply to business partners and service providers not eligible for C-TPAT membership. Security Procedures Written procedures must be in place to address specific factors or practices, the presence of which would trigger additional scrutiny by the rail carrier. The US CBP will work in partnership with the rail carriers to identify specific information regarding what factors, practices, circumstances or risks are relevant. For business partners eligible for C-TPAT endorsement (importers, ports, terminals, brokers, consolidators, etc), the rail carrier must have documentations like C-TPAT certificate, SVI number, etc indicating whether these business partners are or are...

Rail carriers must carry out a comprehensive assessment of their security practices based on the C-TPAT minimum security criteria. Recognizing that rail carriers do not control their shippers and have a common carrier obligation to transport goods tendered to them, rail carriers shall work with their shippers on their security practices as set forth in these criteria. These minimum security criteria are fundamentally designed to be the building blocks for rail carriers to institute effective security practices designed to optimize supply chain performance to mitigate the risk of loss, theft and contraband smuggling that could potentially introduce terrorists and implements of terrorism into the global supply chain sector. Rail carriers should periodically assess their degree of vulnerability to risk and should prescribe security measures to strength or adjust their security posture to prevent security breaches and internal conspiracies. The determination and scope of criminal el...

Sea carriers must have written and verifiable procedures for the screening of carrier's agents and other service providers contracted to provide transportation services for the carrier. Sea carriers also must have screening procedures for new customers, beyond financial soundness issues to include indicators of whether the customer appears to be a legitimate business and/or posses a security risk. Sea carriers shall also have procedures to review their customer's requests that could affect the safety of the vessel or the cargo or otherwise raise significant security questions, including unusual customer demands, such as specific stowage placement onboard the vessel (beyond a request for below deck or on deck stowage). Security procedures Sea carriers must have written or web-based procedures for screening of new customers to whom they issue bills of lading, which identify specific factors or practices, the presence of which would trigger additional scrutiny by the sea ...

Sea carriers must conduct a comprehensive assessment of their security practices based on the C-TPAT minimum security criteria. Where a sea carrier does not control a specific element of the cargo transportation service it has contracted to provide, such as a marine terminal operator or a time chatered vessel with whom it has contracted, the sea carrier must work with these business partners to seek to ensure that pertinent security measures are in place and adhered to. The sea carrier is responsible for exercising prudent oversight for all cargo loaded on board its vessel, pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations and terms of this program. C-TPAT recognizes the complexity of the international supply chains and security practices and endorses the application and implementation of security measures based upon risk. Therefore, the program also allows for flexibility and the customization of security plans based on the member's business model or requirements. Security me...