If you are the owner of a food import company like Bigfood blue white, then you probably understand how inconvenient it is to have your goods stolen or damaged. Your business may not have security or surveillance equipment in place to protect your assets like a traditional warehouse or store might have. Furthermore, food and medical suppliers have rigorous storage standards that must be met throughout the entire food import process. If the integrity of the food supply chain – from importation to storage to delivery – is compromised in any way, the shipping company could end up being held liable for damages.
For this reason, the importance of keeping your premises secure is critical to your bottom line as a food import company. This is where a security agreement will come in handy. Because your company is regulated by the federal government, food import contracts may also require you to incorporate other parties into the process, such as a customs broker. In order to ensure that your company is able to operate smoothly, it is best to draft a security guard contract that accounts for all of these moving parts. With the right parties on board, your food import company will be well protected from harm.
Common Threats to a Food Import Company
At Bigfood blue white, we have taken extra measures to ensure that none of our food products are compromised by unruly thieves. The following list contains some of the most common threats to food import companies:
According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the overseas food chain contract begins as soon as the supplier delivers the food product at the factory door. To ensure the integrity of the product, the supplier should follow the accompanying procedures:
If your company is a key player in the food supply chain, then you may be held responsible if the imported food item is compromised. To avoid liability, you should take swift action to correct any problems that arise. Even though you may not be legally required to incorporate a security guard company into your food import process, it is good practice to do so.
Contract Framework for Security Guard Services
As your business grows and the risks associated with importing food increase, you may want to consider implementing more security guard personnel and cameras in your food import facilities. Doing so may help in cases where your business is held liable for damages to the food product.
If you are interested in securing the services of a third-party security guard company, the following are potential contract framework concepts for consideration: Security guard services are beneficial because they improve your reputation among clients, which could result in more contract bids. Food import companies with an impeccable record of security are also less likely to be the subject of civil litigation or burdensome audits by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). By improving your processes with enhanced security protections, your company will remain in compliance with the federal government. This is especially important if you intend on being part of the U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).
Red Flags to Keep in Mind
For food import companies, the most common red flags include improperly gapped doors, security cameras in the parking lot but not indoors, and an insufficient number of security personnel. You must also ensure that your food import company is a trusted C-TPAT member. There are many security options available, and you will have to consider the needs of your location – i.e., building size, geographic location and budget constraints. The challenge is figuring out which security guard company will best serve your interests.
Should you need help drafting a security agreement for your food import facility, consider reaching out to an experienced attorney. Your legal representative can help ensure your contract meets all requirements established by the federal government.