Free and Secure Trade Program (FAST)

Frequently Asked Questions

General

1. What is the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program?
2. Why has the CBSA introduced this program?

Border Security

1. What role does FAST play in the CBSA security mandate?
2. If Canada harmonizes its customs processes with the U.S., are we still able to decide what those processes are and how to change them as we see fit?
3. What is Partners in Protection (PIP)?
4. What is the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)?

FAST Specific

1. What are the benefits of the FAST program?
2. Where is the FAST program operating?
3. Why have these sites been selected?
4. How do you use the FAST program to import into Canada?

Customs and FAST

1. How does FAST differ from the Customs Self Assessment (CSA) process?
2. Can U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers or Canadian border services officers find out what the carrier is transporting?

Application Information

1. Who can participate in the FAST program?
2. What are the eligibility requirements for importers and carriers?
3. How do importers and carriers apply for FAST? How much will it cost?

FAST Driver Registration Program

1. What are the benefits for FAST-registered drivers?
2. What are the eligibility requirements for drivers?
3. How do drivers apply? How much will it cost?
4. How long does it take to process my FAST driver application?
5. Once I receive my request for an interview, must I go right away?
6. Why must I go to the enrollment center?
7. Are fingerprints mandatory?
8. When will my FAST driver card be issued?
9. Where are the enrollment centers and what are their hours of operation?
10. Can I carry goods into Canada or the U.S. without a FAST card?

General

1. What is the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program?

The FAST program is a joint Canada-United States initiative involving the Canada Border Services Agency and the United States Customs and Border Protection. The FAST program offers pre-authorized importers, carriers and drivers expedited clearance processes for eligible goods and builds on what Canada has already implemented under the Customs Self Assessment (CSA) program.

2. Why has the CBSA introduced this program?

Canada and the United States are working together to end threats to public security and safety, while keeping the shared border open to the free flow of low-risk, legitimate trade.

Border Security

1. What role does FAST play in the CBSA security mandate?

FAST helps fulfill the CBSA security mandate in two ways:

1. By conducting comprehensive risk assessments of drivers, importers, and carriers; and
2. By providing streamlined clearance for pre-approved importers, carriers, and drivers transporting eligible goods from the United States into Canada.

As a result, the CBSA can focus its efforts on shipments of high or unknown risk.

2. If Canada harmonizes its customs processes with the U.S., are we still able to decide what those processes are and how to change them as we see fit?

Canada and the United States are equal partners in this program and as such can ensure that their individual needs are accommodated in this program.

3. What is Partners in Protection?

The Partners in Protection (PIP) program is a Canadian program designed to enlist the co-operation of the trade community and the transportation industry in the fight against contraband smuggling. PIP provides a framework for joint efforts and outlines the commitments of both signatories in a memorandum of understanding that focuses on three areas of co-operation:

• intelligence and the exchange of information;
• security; and
• joint training/information initiatives.

4. What is the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)?

The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is a United States program similar to the Canadian PIP program. It is a joint government–business initiative to build co-operative relationships that strengthen the supply chain and border security. Through this initiative, United States 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.

FAST Specific

1. What are the benefits of the FAST program?

FAST shipments will be cleared into either country with greater speed and certainty, and at reduced costs of compliance, by:

• Reducing the information requirements for border/customs 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; and
• Streamlining accounting and payment processes for all goods imported by approved importers (in Canada only).

2. Where is the FAST program operating?

3. Why have these sites been selected?

These sites were selected based on the volume of traffic across our shared border.

4. How do you use the FAST program to import into Canada?

Low-risk goods being imported by highway from the United States into Canada and automotive goods being imported from Mexico by a pre-authorized importer, pre-authorized carrier and registered driver will be processed through a dedicated lane (where available). Drivers will present their FAST driver registration card and identify the shipments, importers and carrier using a bar code and possibly, in the future, transponder technology.

Customs and FAST

1. How does FAST differ from the Customs Self Assessment (CSA) process?

• CSA is a Canadian program that includes a streamlined accounting and payment process for all goods imported into Canada and the benefit of a streamlined clearance option for CSA eligible goods.
  
  
• FAST is a joint Canada–U.S. program that further streamlines the commercial clearance processes for entry into both countries.

The main difference between FAST and CSA lies in the enhanced partnership between government and business to promote legitimate trade.

The FAST program into Canada:

• Is an extension of the application and importing processes that Canada has implemented as part of the CSA program; and
• Involves increased security measures through the signing of a Partners in Protection (PIP) memorandum of understanding by Canadian importers and carriers.

In the U.S., importers and carriers participate in C-TPAT program to benefit from the FAST program.

2. Can U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Canadian border services officers find out what the carrier is transporting?

Yes. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Canadian border services officers can request and review commercial documentation to determine what is being imported and to verify that the importation is eligible for FAST clearance. All shipments remain subject to compliance and enforcement checks at the border crossing.

Application information

1. Who can participate in the FAST program?

There are three major participant groups in FAST:

• drivers
• carriers
• importers

FAST is available to drivers who have been jointly approved by Canada and the United States. Each country must approve carriers and importers separately. As a result, a FAST importer and/or carrier can choose to be approved only into Canada or only into the United States

2. What are the eligibility requirements for importers and carriers?

Into Canada
To use FAST into Canada, the importer or carrier must be authorized under the CSA program and participate in the PIP program.

Into the United States
To use FAST into the United States, the importer or carrier must participate in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program.

In both cases, the importer or carrier must use a FAST-approved driver.

3. How do importers and carriers apply for FAST? How much will it cost?

In the case of importers and carriers, there is no fee to join the program.

• To apply for FAST into Canada, the applicant submits the information requested in the FAST application guide, including the PIP requirements, to the CBSA.
  
  
• To apply for FAST into the United States, the applicant submits the information requested in the FAST application guide, which includes the C-TPAT requirements, to the United States Customs and Border Protection.

FAST Application forms and guides

FAST Driver Registration Program

1. What are the benefits for FAST-registered drivers?

FAST-registered drivers benefit from this program in the following ways:

• using FAST-dedicated lanes in Canada and the United States (where available);
• crossing the border with accelerated customs and immigration processing; and
• transporting eligible goods for FAST-approved carriers and importers.

2. What are the eligibility requirements for drivers?

Drivers applying to the FAST program may qualify if they:

• are citizens or permanent residents of the United States or Canada;
• are admissible to Canada or the United States under applicable immigration laws;
• are at least 18 years of age;
• have a valid driver's licence; and
• are of good character.

3. How do drivers apply? How much will it cost?

Drivers must be approved under FAST by both Canada and the United States.

1. They must submit a single application form with supporting documentation to the FAST processing centre in Canada for fee processing and risk assessment.
2. A copy of their application and supporting documentation is forwarded to the United States, which will conduct its own risk assessment.
3. Once this process is completed, drivers must go to a FAST Enrollment Center for an in-person interview, fingerprinting and photo capture before a FAST card can be issued.

Application forms and guides are available online or from FAST Driver Enrollment Centers.

The cost of processing the FAST Driver application is CAN$80 or US$50 (non-refundable). The membership card is valid for five years.

4. How long does it take to process my FAST driver application?

The initial processing of your application will take approximately four to six weeks; however, processing time may vary depending on the volume of applications received.

5. Once I receive my request for an interview, must I go right away?

Once you receive your request to visit an enrollment center, you must contact one of the offices listed in your letter to schedule an interview. If you do not present yourself within 90 days, you will be required to re-apply and pay again.

6. Why must I go to the Enrollment Center?

FAST applicants who have passed the initial risk assessment will be invited to an interview at an Enrollment Center.

At the interview:

• you will be asked to produce all the original documentation listed in the letter;
• the program terms and conditions will be explained;
• your photo and fingerprints will be taken; and
• you may be conditionally issued your FAST driver card.

This process will take approximately 30 to 60 minutes.

Note: Only applicants who have passed the risk assessment will be invited to an interview.

7. Are fingerprints mandatory?

All FAST participants undergo a fingerprint check for the purposes of performing identity and criminal record checks. If you choose not to have your prints taken at the Enrollment Center, your interview and application will be terminated and you will not receive a FAST driver card.

8. When will my FAST driver card be issued?

Upon successful completion of your interview at the Enrollment Center, a FAST driver card will be conditionally issued to you. If, at any time thereafter, the terms and conditions of the FAST program are not met, your FAST card may be revoked and applicable laws will be enforced.

9. Where are the enrollment centers and what are their hours of operation?

FAST Driver Enrollment Centers

10. Can I carry goods into Canada or the U.S. without a FAST card?

Yes. However, you will not be able to use the FAST service option or a FAST-dedicated lane (where available).