Fact Sheet

January 2002

Integrated Primary Inspection Line System

The Integrated Primary Inspection Line (IPIL) system is an automated support tool used to process the entry of travellers into Canada by using Customs and Immigration databases.

IPIL provides customs officers with an immediate system response (less than 1 second) which identifies whether the traveller is on a customs or immigration lookout or has previous customs infractions. IPIL connects directly to the Customs and Immigration enforcement databases in real time, thereby ensuring all look out information is current.

Since the early 1990s, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency has used technology for identifying high-risk persons at major international airports. The first automated system used in airports was implemented in co-operation with Citizenship and Immigration Canada. In order to ensure that high-risk persons would continue to be identified and intercepted, Customs has worked to enhance the technology available to Customs officers.

The CCRA will expand its IPIL system to other customs offices in the near future, including 8 additional airports.

The IPIL system is currently available in 230 lanes at 29 Customs offices.

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