The Free and Secure Trade Program

Highlights

Hauling dangerous goods (including explosives) into the U.S.? Apply for a FAST card today.

New Security Requirements for some Commercial Drivers

• What is the FAST Program?
• Benefits of the FAST Program
• Who is Eligible to Apply?
  • Application Forms
• Protecting Privacy and Personal Information
• Where is FAST Available?
• Where are FAST Driver Enrollment Centres Located?
  
  

What is the FAST Program?

The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program is a joint Canada–United States initiative involving the Canada Border Services Agency and the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

FAST supports moving pre-approved eligible goods across the border quickly and verifying trade compliance away from the border.

It is a commercial process offered to pre-approved importers, carriers, and registered drivers. Shipments for approved companies, transported by approved carriers using registered drivers, will be cleared into either country with greater speed and certainty, and at a reduced cost of compliance.

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

What are the Benefits of the FAST Program?

FAST, which is 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 (in Canada only).

Who is Eligible to Apply?

There are three major participant groups who are eligible for FAST - importers, carriers and drivers. FAST will be available to those participants who have a demonstrated history of compliance with all relevant legislation and regulations, and have acceptable books, records and audit trails.

Protecting Privacy and Personal Information

To become a FAST member, you are required to provide personal information to the CBSA. The CBSA uses the information you provide to determine your eligibility for the program.

All personal information collected is protected by the CBSA under the Privacy Act. The CBSA shares this information with its partners in order to establish your admissibility. Program partners include the United States CBP, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).

The program application form outlines why the information is being collected and how you can exercise your right to access that information.

Learn more about the CBSA's Privacy Policy.

Where is FAST available?

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

Where are FAST Driver Enrollment Centres located?

The FAST Commercial Driver Enrollment Centers are located at the following locations:

• Atlantic
• Quebec
• Southern Ontario
• Prairie
• Pacific