Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the purpose of the program?
2. What is a Memorandum of Understanding?
3. Who is eligible to participate in Partners in Protection?
4. Are these agreements legally binding?
5. Are there any costs involved?
6. How is Partners in Protection administered?
7. How will the program benefit my company?
8. Will Partners In Protection be responsible for administering employee background checks for our company?
9. What is the purpose of the security questionnaire?
10. When security issues are identified during the CBSA security review, what is the timeframe for corrections?
11. Will there be any penalties imposed on a partner for non-compliance of the MOU agreement?
12. Will joining Partners in Protection decrease searches by the CBSA?
13. Does the U.S. have a program comparable to Partners in Protection?
14. What is (C-TPAT)?
15. Where do I go for further information on Partners in Protection?

1. What is the purpose of the program?

Partners in Protection is designed to enlist the co-operation of private industry in efforts to enhance border security, combat organized crime and terrorism, increase awareness of customs compliance issues, and help detect and prevent contraband smuggling. This is accomplished through an agreement called a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

2. What is a Memorandum of Understanding?

The MOU is a goodwill agreement in which your organization and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) commit to working together. The MOU focuses on 3 main objectives:

• enhanced security;
• exchange of information; and
• awareness sessions.

3. Who is eligible to participate in Partners in Protection?

Partners in Protection is available to the entire trade community, from importers, carriers, brokers, warehouse operators to associations. The program encourages private industry to assist the CBSA in enhancing border security, combating organized crime and terrorism and suppressing contraband smuggling, to secure the flow of legitimate goods and travelers across the border.

4. Are these agreements legally binding?

No. The MOU is a "goodwill" agreement in which your organization and the CBSA commit to work together. Your organization will not be asked to act as a law enforcement body and all information exchanged is treated as confidential. The conditions outlined in the MOU are voluntary.

5. Are there any costs involved?

There are no costs associated with joining Partners in Protection. No systems changes are required and participation is voluntary. Furthermore, fulfilling the conditions of the MOU should not intrude unduly on the operation of either parties.

6. How is Partners in Protection administered?

Once the MOU is signed, a local CBSA representative will meet with a representative from your organization to make arrangements to implement the program. They will meet periodically to exchange information and provide awareness sessions. Awareness sessions are offered to your organization to help you detect illegal activities and establish a reporting structure.

7. How will the program benefit my company?

• shipments and travelers will be processed more quickly
• improved security levels;
• your staff will become more familiar with customs requirements;
• we will review your security procedures and suggest improvements, if necessary, to help in reducing the possibility of your company being used unknowingly for contraband smuggling purposes;
• enhanced reputation for your company by demonstrating a willingness to work with the CBSA in the fight against drugs and other contraband in Canada.

8. Will Partners In Protection be responsible for administering employee background checks for our company?

Companies are responsible for their own security measures.

9. What is the purpose of the security questionnaire?

Organizations who demonstrate their commitment to a secure trade chain will be accepted as Partners in Protection. The responses to the security questionnaire will assess that commitment. As well, the self-assessment will help us identify any weaknesses in security processes throughout your supply chain.

10. When security issues are identified during the CBSA security review, what is the timeframe for corrections?

There is no set timeframe to address identified security weaknesses. We will work with your organization to address the deficiencies within a reasonable amount of time.

11. Will there be any penalties imposed on a partner for non-compliance of the MOU agreement?

There are no penalties associated with the Partners in Protection program.

12. Will joining Partners in Protection decrease searches by the CBSA?

If your company demonstrates a good compliance record and actively participates in the Partners in Protection program, it will benefit from lower examination rates. We want to focus our efforts on high or unknown risk shipments. That's not to say that your shipments will never be examined, they are still subject to periodic verification.

13. Does the U.S. have a program comparable to Partners in Protection?

Yes. The U.S. Customs Services has implemented a program entitled Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).

14. What is (C-TPAT)?

C-TPAT is a U.S. program similar to the Canadian PIP program. It is a joint government-business initiative to build co-operative relationships that strengthen overall supply chain and border security. Through this initiative, customs is asking businesses to ensure the integrity of their security practices and communicate their security guidelines to their business partners within the supply chain.

For more information, visit:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).

15. Where do I go for further information on Partners in Protection?

Contact:
Manager,
Partners in Protection
Enforcement Branch
Telephone: 613-946-9174
Email: pip@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Web: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca