7-Point CTPAT Container Inspection Checklist: Key Details and Compliance Guide

The C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) program is a voluntary supply chain security initiative administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Companies enrolled in this program must complete a 7-point container inspection before sealing and shipping any cargo. Failure to follow this protocol can result in shipment delays, penalties, or loss of CTPAT certification.

The 7 CTPAT Container Inspection Areas

Each inspection covers a distinct area of the shipping container. The inspector must check all seven points and document findings on the form:

  1. Outside/Undercarriage: Examine the underside of the container for attached packages, foreign objects, or false compartments. Tap the surface to detect hollow areas that differ from the original structure.
  2. Front Wall: Check for false walls, unusual bulges, soft spots, or holes. Use a hammer to tap the front wall and identify any hollow sections that suggest hidden storage.
  3. Left Side: Inspect the exterior left panel for damage, unauthorized repairs, pinholes, or structural modifications that deviate from the original container design.
  4. Right Side: Perform the same thorough examination on the right side as conducted on the left side panel, noting any irregularities.
  5. Ceiling/Roof: Look for soft spots, pinholes, unusual patches, or repairs that may indicate tampering. Unusual discoloration or new welds are also signs of modification.
  6. Inside/Outside Doors: Verify that door seals are intact, hinges are secure, and locking mechanisms function correctly. Look for evidence of forced entry or seal tampering.
  7. Interior Floor: Check the floor for unusual items, uneven surfaces, or signs of a false floor. Look for areas that appear visually or texturally different from the rest of the floor.

How to Complete the CTPAT Inspection Form

The inspector must record the container number, seal number, and inspection date at the top of the form. For each of the seven areas, mark either an acceptable or unacceptable condition. If any area is unacceptable, describe the issue in the comments field. The form must be signed and dated by the person who performed the inspection. All inspection records should be retained for a minimum of one year for audit purposes.

Related Shipping and Inspection Documents

Companies engaged in international freight operations often need additional compliance forms. Use our air cargo manifest to document shipment contents or our shipping manifest form to record cargo details. For fleet and vehicle compliance, see the pre-trip inspection checklist and the 4-point inspection form.

QuestionAnswer
Form Name7-Point CTPAT Container Inspection Checklist Form
Form Length1 pages
Fillable?No
Fillable fields0
Avg. time to fill out15 sec
Other names7-Point Ocean Container Security Inspection Checklist Form, ISO Container Inspection Checklist Form

Form Preview Example

7-POINT CONTAINER INSPECTION

This form must be completed in English for all shipments and a copy submitted with the shipping documents and the original securely affixed to the inside of the container door.

DATE:TIME:

P.O. #:

CONTAINER #:

AREA OF INSPECTION

OUTSIDE/UNDERCARRIAGE CONDITION

(support beams should be visible)

DESCRIBE UNACCEPTABLE CONDITION

(If there is an unacceptable condition or unmanifested material, stop the inspection

ACCEPTABLE and notify a supervisor.)

YES

NO

INSIDE/OUTSIDE DOOR CONDITION

(check locking mechanism to make sure it is reliable)

YES

NO

RIGHT SIDE CONDITION

YES

 

NO

 

 

 

 

LEFT SIDE CONDITION

YES

 

NO

 

 

 

 

FRONT WALL CONDITION

YES

(make sure blocks and vents are visible)

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CEILING/ROOF CONDITION

YES

 

NO

 

 

 

 

INTERIOR FLOOR CONDITION

YES

 

NO

 

 

 

 

OTHER COMMENTS:

ITEMS TO LOOK FOR INCLUDE:

• FAKE WALLS (USE A HAMMER TO TAP THE WALLS LISTENING FOR

 

FAKE WALLS OR HOLLOW SOUNDS)

 

• MAKE SURE INTERIOR SPACE OF THE CONTAINER IS THE PROPER

 

LENGTH, HEIGHT AND WIDTH

 

• BONDING MATERIAL

 

• DIFFERENT COLOR POINTS

 

• BOLTS INSTEAD OF RIVETS

CONTAINER APPROVED FOR STUFFING:

YES

NO

The condition of the container has been visually verified and found to be structurally sound, weather tight, has no false compartments and contains no unmanifested material.

INSPECTED BY:

 

TIME:

 

 

 

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7-Point CTPAT Container Inspection Checklist Form completion process clarified (part 1)

2. The subsequent step would be to submit the next few blank fields: YES NO YES NO YES NO YES , RIGHT SIDE CONDITION, LEFT SIDE CONDITION, FRONT WALL CONDITION make sure, CEILINGROOF CONDITION, INTERIOR FLOOR CONDITION, OTHER COMMENTS ITEMS TO LOOK FOR, cid FAKE WALLS USE A HAMMER TO TAP, and CONTAINER APPROVED FOR STUFFING .

Filling in segment 2 in 7-Point CTPAT Container Inspection Checklist Form

Regarding YES NO YES NO YES NO YES and RIGHT SIDE CONDITION, make certain you don't make any errors in this current part. These are the most significant fields in this page.

3. Completing The condition of the container has, INSPECTED BY, and TIME is essential for the next step, make sure to fill them out in their entirety. Don't miss any details!

TIME, INSPECTED BY, and The condition of the container has of 7-Point CTPAT Container Inspection Checklist Form

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