The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency signed a security-focused Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with the Customs Administrations of Guatemala and Colombia April 17 at the Trade Facilitation and Cargo Security Summit in Boston. The arrangement will see the organizations together establish a standard set of security requirements.

MRAs are bilateral understandings between two customs administrations providing a platform for the exchange of membership information while recognizing the compatibility of the administrations' respective supply chain security programs.  

“By cooperating with our regional partners through MRAs, we are able to create a unified and sustainable security posture,” said Pete Flores, Executive Assistant Commissioner for CBP Field Operations. “As a result, we are furthering our efforts to facilitate trade and enhance our economic security mission.”

The agreement is similar to the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program, a voluntary public-private sector partnership program that tasks the CBP with providing “the highest level of cargo security” via cooperation between agencies and international supply chain principal stakeholders.