---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 964"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "964"
heading: "Tier 1 participants in C–TPAT"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/964"
units:
  - "Chapter 3 — Security and Accountability for Every Port"
  - "Subchapter II — Security of the International Supply Chain"
  - "Part B — Customs–Trade Partnership Against Terrorism"
---

# §964. Tier 1 participants in C–TPAT

- (a) **Benefits—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15), acting through the [Commissioner](/usc/6/901.md?p=4), shall offer limited benefits to a Tier 1 participant who has been certified in accordance with the guidelines referred to in [subsection (b)](#b). Such benefits may include a reduction in the score assigned pursuant to the Automated Targeting System of not greater than 20 percent of the high-risk threshold established by the [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15).
- (b) **Guidelines—** Not later than 180 days after October 13, 2006, the [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15), acting through the [Commissioner](/usc/6/901.md?p=4), shall update the guidelines for certifying a C–TPAT participant’s security measures and supply chain security practices under this section. Such guidelines shall include a background investigation and extensive documentation review.
- (c) **Timeframe—** To the extent practicable, the [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15), acting through the [Commissioner](/usc/6/901.md?p=4), shall complete the Tier 1 certification process within 90 days of receipt of an application for participation in C–TPAT.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–347, title II, § 214, Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1910.)