Which statement about CTPAT eligibility and validation is correct?

• A. Validation guarantees no inspections at all
• B. Eligibility for validation is determined by the BPQ risk assessment
• C. All shipments are automatically validated
• D. Validation is optional for certain small importers

Answer: (B)

CTPAT eligibility for validation is determined by the BPQ risk assessment. The BPQ (Business Partner Questionnaire) is CBP’s tool to evaluate a company’s supply-chain security posture. After you submit the BPQ, CBP uses the responses and other risk indicators to classify risk and decide whether validation—an on-site or documented review of security controls—is appropriate. This decision is not a guarantee of no inspections, and it does not mean that all shipments are automatically validated. Validation isn’t a blanket requirement for all firms, but eligibility to even pursue validation rests on the BPQ risk assessment results.