Fact Sheet

April 2000

Customs Action Plan highlights: A better border for travellers

The explosion in world travel continues, and Canada is seeing its fair share of the increase. By 2004, more than 123 million people will be welcomed annually into Canada. The vast majority of these people are tourists, business people, and returning Canadians who pose no risk to the health and safety of Canada or its economy; but a small percentage could be a threat. The Customs Action Plan is based on a risk management system that will allow customs to streamline the processing of low-risk travellers and focus resources on areas of higher or unknown risk.

Faster clearance for low-risk travellers

After evaluation of best practices, voluntary permit programs such as CANPASS will be available at high-volume land border crossings so that pre-approved travellers can cross hassle-free, without routine questioning, unless they are stopped for a random check. CANPASS permit holders will have access to dedicated lanes so they can cross the border quickly. Automated systems will confirm that travellers are registered and have been security checked. If travellers have made purchases, another benefit is that they can submit their declaration using a drop-box, and any duties and taxes owing will be charged to their credit card. For air travel, private aircraft operators holding a CANPASS permit will report to customs without routine questioning unless they are stopped for a spot check. Corporate clients will be able to register all their members under one corporate permit.

At airports, pre-approved air travellers will be able to take advantage of the Expedited Passenger Processing System (EPPS). Using biometric technology (hand readers), and automated kiosks for declaring and paying duties and taxes, they will be able to go through customs without having to talk to a customs officer, unless they are stopped for a spot check. Automated processing of travellers will make it possible for businesses to provide gate-to-curbside and curbside-to-gate services.

Under the proposed joint Canada/U.S. Intransit Preclearance initiative, travellers who are in transit through major Canadian airports on their way to the United States will not have to clear Canadian customs, but instead will be able to proceed directly to U.S. pre-clearance. This initiative will not only benefit Canadian airports and airlines, it will also benefit our economy by enhancing the competitiveness of Canadian travel services.

Intensified verification for higher and unknown risk

A variety of new techniques based on technology will be used to identify travellers who present a higher or unknown risk and could potentially pose a security risk. This includes electronic targeting, better electronic database sharing among enforcement and customs agencies, advance passenger information, and analysis of compliance records.

Customs is currently developing a policy with Citizenship and Immigration Canada to get advance passenger information from carrier databases (e.g. airline manifests), which will enable customs and immigration authorities to make admissibility decisions before travellers arrive at the border. This will help us detect the entry of travellers that may intend harm, have dangerous diseases, or carry inadmissible goods. Customs officers will no longer have to question all passengers about their travel history. This means less inconvenience to entire flights of passengers and more time for our customs officers to focus on illegal activity.

Customs will record firearm imports and exports and will be responsible for enforcing improved legislation related to money-laundering, impaired driving, child abduction, outstanding warrants, and possession of stolen property.

Routine customs processing will still be mandatory for travellers with citizenship and immigration requirements, and those selected by customs inspectors for detailed questioning.

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