U.S. & Japan Establish Mutual Recognition of Each Other's Cargo Security Programs (C-TPAT/AEO)

July 8, 2009

Japan and the United States recently signed a mutual recognition arrangement that acknowledges the compatibility of the U.S.’ Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Japan’s Authorized Economic Operator cargo security programs. Mutual recognition will allow companies of one supply chain security program to receive benefits identical or comparable to those conferred to companies participating in another supply chain security program.

Under the arrangement, the two countries will now accept the security status of members of each other’s security programs. As a result, the arrangement is expected to reduce the number of supply chain security validations each country’s customs service will have to conduct and reduce inspection delays for C-TPAT and AEO members.

For more on C-TPAT, click here.