Green lane in sight: customs re-evaluates its validation process for C-TPAT participants.(Supply Chain Security)(Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism)

Sometime this year, importers exercising the best supplychain security will see the "green lane" for their goods at a U.S. port. Since the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism began nearly three years ago, the green lane has been a mirage on the security landscape, tantalizing but just out of reach. Companies complained that the green lane has been the government's part of an unfulfilled bargain they struck when they joined C-TPAT.

C-TPAT is being born again. Customs and Border Protection will expect more from its industry partners, and is willing to give more in return. That may mean the green lane is in sight for importers that practice supplychain security …