BASC — the Business Alliance for Secure Commerce — is a voluntary international business-led supply chain security program established in 1996. It was originally founded as the Business Anti-Smuggling Coalition in cooperation with U.S. Customs in response to drug-trafficking exploitation of the Colombian supply chain, and later rebranded as the Business Alliance for Secure Commerce.
BASC is headquartered in the United States and operates primarily in Latin America — including Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic — with over 3,000 certified companies. It is also active in parts of Europe and Asia.
Certification covers entities such as:
- Manufacturers and exporters in Latin America
- Customs brokers, freight forwarders, and carriers
- Port and terminal operators
- Logistics and warehousing providers
BASC certification requires implementing the BASC Standards and Management System, which align closely with the WCO SAFE Framework, ISO 28000, and AEO requirements. Annual audits are conducted by accredited bodies.
For U.S. importers, BASC certification of foreign suppliers is a strong mitigation factor in CTPAT security profile reviews and is often required by U.S. companies sourcing from high-risk Latin American corridors. While BASC does not have formal Mutual Recognition with CBP, BASC-certified foreign manufacturers can streamline a U.S. importer's CTPAT business partner screening.
BASC is particularly valuable for importers of agricultural products, textiles, and other commodities where origin diversion and counter-narcotics concerns intersect with classification and valuation compliance.