The Importer Self-Assessment (ISA) program was a voluntary CBP program launched in 2002 that allowed approved importers to assume responsibility for monitoring their own customs compliance in exchange for significant audit and enforcement benefits. CBP stopped accepting new ISA applications in 2020, transitioning the concept to the broader Trusted Trader framework being developed around CTPAT.
Existing ISA members were grandfathered and continue to receive program benefits while CBP evaluates the future Trusted Trader structure.
Original ISA benefits included:
- Exemption from Focused Assessment audits
- Coverage from "no-change" Quick Response Audits
- Priority handling of prior disclosure submissions
- Mitigation consideration in 19 U.S.C. § 1592 penalty cases
- Access to a dedicated CBP account manager
- Trade facilitation benefits stacked on top of CTPAT membership (CTPAT membership was a prerequisite)
ISA requirements included documented internal controls over classification, valuation, country of origin, special programs, recordkeeping, and trade remedy compliance — along with annual self-testing and a formal Memorandum of Understanding with CBP.
ISA's discontinuation reflects CBP's broader move toward integrating compliance and security partnerships under a single Trusted Trader umbrella. For importers, the closest active analog today is full CTPAT membership combined with a documented compliance program demonstrating reasonable care.