Customs will begin taking applications on January 21 from domestic port authorities and marine terminal operators for participation in the Customs-Trade Partnership program. The program, known as C-TPAT, is an initiative between business and government to protect global commerce from terrorism. Unveiled this past April, the program initially sought membership from importers, carriers, and Customs brokers and freight forwarders. “This marks the next leg in building a comprehensive system to prevent terrorist infiltration of the global trading system,” said Bonner. The program calls upon the trade community to establish policies to enhance their own security practices and those of business partners involved in the supply chain.