H.R. 6826 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to carry out a five-year pilot program to include certain third-party logistics providers in the customs trade partnership against terrorism (CTPAT) program. CTPAT is a voluntary program that encourages entities involved in international trade to cooperate with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to strengthen international supply chains, improve border security, and facilitate the movement of secure cargo through the supply chain. Interested entities would need to apply to DHS.
The bill would require CBP to publish participation requirements for the pilot program in the Federal Register within one year of the bill’s enactment and submit a report to the Congress on its findings about the pilot program six months after it ends. H.R. 6826 also would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to the Congress on the effectiveness of the CTPAT program within 18 months.
Using information from the agency, CBO estimates that any new activities required under H.R. 6826 would not require substantial action by DHS and would cost less than $500,000 over the 2022-2026 period. Furthermore, based on the cost of similar activities, CBO estimates the cost to GAO of producing the report would be less than $500,000 over the 2022-2026 period. Taken together, CBO estimates implementing the bill would cost $1 million over the 2022-2026 period. All spending under the bill would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
