FAST Program for Canada -- U.S. Border

Eligibility Criteria

• have their head office in Canada or operate a branch office in Canada;
• have a history of actively importing for at least two years;
• are without contraband or major commercial infractions;
• are prepared to make an investment in business systems;
• are willing to provide senior management representation that commercial business processes, customs interfaces, and the required trigger, audit trails, and linkages exist or will exist in the business's books and records; and
• are prepared to sign a Client Undertaking document with CBSA.

Carriers who may be eligible include those who are:

• bonded or post-audit;
• have a history of transporting goods to Canada for at least two years;
• without contraband or major commercial infractions;
• willing to be liable and maintain control of Custom Self Assessment (CSA) shipments until delivered;
• willing to provide senior management representation that proper commercial business processes and audit trails exist or will exist; and prepared to sign a Client Undertaking document with CBSA.

Commercial drivers interested in simplifying their border crossings into Canada...
...are eligible if they are a:

• citizen or permanent resident of Canada; or
• citizen or permanent resident of the United States who meets the normal visitor requirements (i.e., good health, and the ability to support oneself while in Canada).
  ...qualify if they:

• provide true and complete information on the application;
• are admissible to Canada under the Immigration Act;
• have not had goods seized by customs within the last five years;
• have no criminal record for which they have not received a pardon; and
• have not been found in violation under customs or immigration legislation.

Note: alcohol-related driving offences (e.g., driving while intoxicated, driving while ability impaired, and driving under the influence of alcohol) are criminal offences in Canada.

You may contact the Canadian Embassy or a Canadian consulate in the United States to discuss immigration admissibility and legislative requirements.

Summary

The FAST program will feature:

• greater integrity in supply chain management processes;
• streamlined and, where appropriate, integrated registration processes for drivers, carriers, and importers;
• expedited clearance of low-risk transborder shipments;
• integrated and advanced technology; and
• dedicated compliance account managers who will build and maintain client partnerships and monitor client's compliance with program requirements.

Benefits of the FAST Program

FAST, based on sound risk management techniques, focuses on greater speed and certainty at the border and reduces the cost of compliance by:

• reducing the information requirements for customs/border clearance;
• eliminating the need for importers to transmit data for each transaction;
• dedicating lanes for FAST clearances;
• reducing the rate of border examinations;
• verifying trade compliance away from the border;
• streamlining accounting and payment processes for all goods imported by approved importers (Canada only).

What is the FAST program?

The FAST program is a joint Canada-U.S. initiative involving the:

• Canada Border Services Agency;
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada;
• United States Customs and Border Protection.

In Canada, FAST builds on the Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) program and its principles of pre-approval and self-assessment, as well as increased security measures under the Partners in Protection (PIP) program.

FAST participants must meet the requirements of Canada's PIP program or the United States Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. As part of these programs, companies must adopt and implement security procedures to be compatible with guidelines set by both the CBSA and CBP.

Where is FAST available?

Currently, Canada and the United States jointly offer expedited Customs clearance processes to pre-authorized drivers, carriers and importers at the following major border crossings:

• Detroit, Michigan / Windsor, Ontario;
• Buffalo, New York / Fort Erie, Ontario;
• Lewiston, New York / Queenston, Ontario;
• Port Huron, Michigan / Sarnia, Ontario;
• Champlain, New York / Lacolle, Quebec;
• Blaine, Washington / Pacific Highway, British Columbia;
• Stanstead (55), Quebec / Derby Line, Vermont;
• St.Armand/Philipsburg, Quebec / Highgate Springs, Vermont;
• Landsdowne, Ontario / Alexandria Bay, New York;
• Emerson, Manitoba / Pembina, North Dakota;
• North Portal, Saskatchewan / Portal, North Dakota; and
• Coutts, Alberta / Sweetgrass, Montana.

Where are FAST driver enrollment centers located?

Currently, there are ten FAST commercial driver enrolment centres located at the following locations:

• Detroit, Michigan / Windsor, Ontario;
• Buffalo, New York / Fort Erie, Ontario;
• Lewinston, New York / Queenston, Ontario;
• Port Huron, Michigan / Sarnia, Ontario;
• Champlain, New York / Lacolle, Quebec;
• Woodstock, New Brunswick / Houlton, Maine;
• Blaine, Washington / Pacific Highway, British Columbia;
• Stanstead (55), Quebec / Derby Line, Vermont ;
• Emerson, Manitoba / Pembina, North Dakota ;
• North Portal, Saskatchewan / Portal, North Dakota ;
• Coutts, Alberta / Sweetgrass, Montana ;
• St.Armand/Philipsburg, Quebec / Highgate Springs, Vermont; and
• Lansdowne, Ontario / Alexandria Bay, New York.

Note : The Enrollment Centres are physically located at the bolded location.

Manitoba Contact(s):
See National Contact.