Fact Sheet

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January 2005

Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record

The Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) program is designed to protect Canadians by enabling the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to perform a risk assessment of travellers prior to their arrival in Canada.

API/PNR data is used by the CBSA to identify persons who may be subject to closer questioning or examination on arrival in Canada because of their potential relationship to terrorism or terrorism-related crimes, or other serious crimes such as the smuggling of drugs and humans.

API/PNR data has historically been available from travellers upon their arrival in Canada through a review of their identification and travel documentation such as passport, ticket and itinerary and by questioning during the customs and immigration processes.

Similar programs are being used by a number of other border inspection agencies worldwide, including those of the United States (U.S.) and Australia. Canada and the U.S. have an agreement to share API/PNR data under the terms of initiative number 8 of the Canada-U.S. Smart Border Declaration and associated 32 Point Action Plan.

While the API/PNR program will ultimately be implemented for all modes of transportation, the CBSA's current focus is on air travel.

What is API/PNR Information?

Under Canadian law, all commercial carriers are required to provide the CBSA API/PNR data relating to all persons on board commercial conveyances bound for Canada.

The CBSA's authority to obtain and collect such information is section 107.1 of the Customs Act, and the Passenger Information (Customs) Regulations and in paragraph 148 (1)(d) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and regulation 269 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

API is basic information and includes the traveller's name, date of birth, citizenship or nationality and passport or other travel document data.

PNR data is more detailed information and includes the travel itinerary, address and check-in information. This information is gathered by the airlines in their reservation, check-in and departure control systems.

Data Privacy Safeguards

• to protect and to manage this data in accordance with the Customs Act, the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act, as well as the relevant CBSA and Government of Canada policies pertaining to the management and security of information;
• to disclose, allow access to, or use data elements only when authorized to do so by law under section 107 of the Customs Act (Customs), subsection 8(2) of the Privacy Act (Immigration), and to the extent permitted by CBSA policy and guidelines;
• to ensure that no additional data is disclosed to third parties or outside agencies than are absolutely required;
• to retain the data for the minimum period necessary for customs and immigration targeting and analytical purposes - 3.5 years - ; and,
• to limit access to the data to CBSA officials performing analysis and targeting functions.

For media information