Customs Tests Another Portal, This Time for Trade Representatives
Published Date: 11/4/2026
Notice
Summary
Starting December 4, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is testing a new online tool called the Client Representative Technical Assistance Portal (CRTAP) to make asking for help easier and more secure. Trade members can join this 45-day test to try out the portal instead of calling or emailing. This change aims to speed up support without extra costs, and you can sign up anytime before the test ends!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
45-Day Voluntary CRTAP Pilot Launch
CBP will run a voluntary test of the Client Representative Technical Assistance Portal (CRTAP) beginning December 4, 2026 for a 45-day period (through January 18, 2027, unless extended). CBP began accepting requests to participate on November 4, 2026 and will accept requests until the test concludes.
Participation Limited to Nine Trade Members
The CRTAP test is limited to a maximum of nine (9) trade members and participation is limited to brokers, self-filers, software providers, Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Operators, Automated Export System (AES) users, and Automated Manifest Systems (AMS) users. Interested parties should apply by email within 30 days from the date of publication (publication date: November 4, 2026).
Opportunity to Test and Improve Communication
Test participants may be able to submit technical assistance requests through CRTAP and provide feedback; participation may allow them to better track and reference communications with their CBP Client Representative and know when a customs issue has been resolved.
Participant Confidentiality and FOIA Disclosure
Data entered into CRTAP may include confidential commercial or financial information protected by statutes, but participation in the test is not confidential; CBP will disclose the name(s) of approved participant(s) if required by a written Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Participant Obligations: Evaluation and Non-Sharing
Selected test participants are required to participate in an evaluation of the test and must acknowledge that they will not share CRTAP access information; CBP will select participants based on their ability to provide feedback and to ensure broad representation of the trade community.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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