Programs and Services

Keeping Canada’s border open to travel and trade but closed to crime requires the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to manage border operations effectively.

People (Traveller) Programs

The CBSA works to promote the free flow of low-risk travellers, into and out of Canada, while ensuring that security measures are in place to stop and remove potential threats.

Travel made smoother

The CBSA has pre-approval programs for travellers, who frequently travel into and out of Canada. Participants in these programs benefit from smooth and quick travel, because Canadian and U.S. border officers will have interviewed and security screened them during the application process.

• NEXUS
  NEXUS is designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, pre-approved travellers into Canada and the United States.
• CANPASS Air
  Frequent, pre-approved air travellers entering Canada can use iris-recognition technology to clear Canadian customs and immigration.

Information Resources

Information on Canadian requirements for travelling into or out of Canada.

• Travellers
  Provides information for travellers returning to, travelling through, or coming to Canada.
• Postal Program
  Deals with all customs-related matters in terms of the clearance of international mail--both casual and commercial shipments--coming into Canada.
• Convention Services Program
  Deals with all information about bringing conventions, meetings, trade shows or exhibits to Canada, including information for exhibitors and attendees.

Goods (Commercial Trade) Programs

The CBSA delivers a number of programs to facilitate trade with industry at home and abroad, while implementing programs and initiatives to ensure the security and integrity of the trade system.

Smoother border clearance

The CBSA offers a variety of pre-approval programs to industry.

• Commercial Driver Registration Program (CDRP)
  The CDRP is designed to streamline the customs clearance process for commercial freight transporters coming into Canada from the United States.
• Customs Self Assessment Program (CSA)
  The CSA program gives approved importers the benefits of a streamlined accounting and payment process for all imported goods.
• Free and Secure Trade (FAST)
  FAST facilitates moving pre-approved eligible goods across the border and verifying trade compliance away from the border.
• Partners in Protection
  This program enlists industry partners to share the responsibility of securing the supply chain.
• Advance Commercial Information
  This program allows cargo to move faster and more efficiently through the supply chain at Canadian marine and airports.
• eManifest
  This program allows highway and rail cargo to move faster and more efficiently through the supply chain at Canadian land borders.

[ More on Facilitating Trade ]

Information Resources

Border information for importing/exporting commercial goods into or out of Canada.

• Exporters
  Information to clarify the reporting requirements so that exporters meet their obligations under the Customs Act.
• Importers
  Information for businesses that import commercial goods into Canada.
• Postal Program
  Deals with all customs-related matters in terms of the clearance of international mail--both personal and commercial shipments--coming into Canada.
• Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Centre (SME Centre)
  Resources to meet the border and trade information needs of small and medium-sized enterprises and those new to importing or exporting.