Cargo Security Program

3M Company is a certified member of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. The primary objective of the program is to prevent the importation of terrorist weapons, including weapons of mass destruction into the United States. To maintain that membership, 3M Company is required to comply with certain requirements regarding supply chain security. In turn, we are requiring all of our suppliers to comply with those requirements to the extent it applies to them. More information on C-TPAT can be found on US Customs and Border Protection’s website www.cbp.gov.

At a minimum, suppliers must:

1. Use approved Container/Trailer Seals
   Container/trailer integrity must be maintained to protect against the introduction of unauthorized material and/or persons. At point of stuffing, procedures must be in place to properly seal and maintain the integrity of the shipping containers/trailers. A high security seal must be affixed to all loaded containers/trailers bound for the U.S.All seals must meet or exceed the current PAS ISO 17712 standards for high security seals. (Your seal supplier, steamship line, trucking company or freight forwarder should be able to confirm whether your seals meet the ISO 17712 standards.)


2. Utilize a Written Container Seal Procedure
   Written procedures must stipulate how seals are to be controlled and affixed to loaded containers/trailers - to include procedures for recognizing and reporting compromised seals and/or containers/trailers to US Customs and Border Protection or the appropriate foreign authority. Only designated employees should distribute container/trailer seals for integrity purposes. Seals are to be affixed at point of origin loading by a responsible, designated representative of the manufacturing entity. Safeguard the use of seals and maintain a log of seal numbers issued and used. Seals shall be used at random in order to avoid seals being affixed in sequential order. Ensure that all manifests and/or bills of lading or other documentation (including electronic data transmissions) submitted for cargo to the shipped are complete and includes all pertinent seal information. Seals should be stored in a secure location (locked cabinet, safe, etc.) until such time as their use is warranted. Access to such secure location must be restricted to those parties responsible for the inventory and affixing of seals.


3. Have Container/Trailer Inspection Procedures
   Procedures must be in place to verify the physical integrity of the container/trailer structure prior to stuffing, to include the reliability of the locking mechanisms of the doors. A seven-point inspection process is recommended for all containers/trailers:
   • Front wall
   • Left side
   • Right side
   • Floor
   • Ceiling/Roof
   • Inside/outside doors
   • Outside/Undercarriage
   Confirm the inner measurements conform to industry standards. A shorter length, width or height could indicate a false ceiling or false wall, which may be used to smuggle contraband.


4. Container/Trailer Storage
   Containers/trailers must be stored in a secure area to prevent unauthorized access and/or manipulation. Procedures must be in place for reporting and neutralizing unauthorized entry into containers/trailers or container/trailer storage areas.

If you have questions on Cargo Security, contact 3M Trade Compliance.