FAST - Free And Secure Trade

February 2005 Oxford Enterprises became FAST approved by the Canada Border Services Agency.

What is the FAST program?

The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program is a joint Canada-U.S. initiative involving the Canada Border Services Agency, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the United States Bureau of 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 harmonized 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 increased security measures under the Partners in Protection (PIP) program.

FAST includes aligning the requirements of Canada's PIP program and the U.S. Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. As part of these programs, companies will have to adopt and implement security procedures to be compatible with guidelines set by both customs agencies.

Overview of the Program

The FAST program is a bilateral initiative between the United States and Canada designed to ensure security and safety while enhancing the economic prosperity of both countries. In developing this program, Canada and the United States have agreed to harmonize, to the maximum extent possible, their commercial processes for clearance of commercial shipments at the border. This will promote free and secure trade by using common risk management principles, supply chain security, industry partnership, and advanced technology to improve the efficiency of screening and clearing commercial traffic at our shared border.

What are the benefits of the FAST program?

FAST, 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 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 ( 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.

• Importers
  • Importer Application Process For Importing into Canada
• Carriers
  • Highway Carrier Application Process
• Drivers
  • FAST Commercial Driver Information Guide
  • FAST Commercial Driver Application Form
  • Tips for completing the FAST Commercial Driver Application
  • FAST Commercial Driver Program - Participant's Guide
  • Information on Citizenship and Immigration Canada's Criminal Rehabilitation Program (FAST Applicants Only)

Where is FAST available?

Currently, Canada and the United States jointly offer expedited Customs clearance processes to pre-authorized drivers, carriers and importers at the following twelve major border crossings:

• Stanstead (55), Quebec / Derby Line, Vermont
• St. Armand/Philipsburg, Quebec / Highgate Springs, Vermont
• Lacolle , Quebec / Champlain, New York **Dedicated FAST Lane Southbound only**
• Lansdowne , Ontario / Alexandria Bay, New York
• Queenston , Ontario / Lewiston, New York
• Fort Erie , Ontario / Buffalo, New York
• Windsor , Ontario / Detroit, Michigan
• Sarnia , Ontario / Port Huron, Michigan **Designated FAST Lane**
• Emerson , Manitoba / Pembina, North Dakota
• North Portal, Saskatchewan / Portal, North Dakota
• Coutts , Alberta / Sweetgrass, Montana
• Pacific Highway, British Columbia / Blaine, Washington

In addition to the above, plans are being developed to have all major commercial crossings FAST capable by the end of 2004.

Where are FAST Driver Enrolment Centres located?

Currently, there are ten FAST commercial driver enrolment centres located at the following locations:

• Woodstock , New Brunswick / Houlton, Maine
• Stanstead (55), Quebec / Derby Line, Vermont
• Lacolle , Quebec / Champlain , New York
• Windsor , Ontario / Detroit , Michigan
• Fort Erie , Ontario / Buffalo, New York
• Sarnia , Ontario / Port Huron , Michigan
• Emerson , Manitoba / Pembina , North Dakota
• North Portal, Saskatchewan / Portal, North Dakota
• Coutts , Alberta / Sweetgrass , Montana
• Pacific Highway, British Columbia / Blaine , Washington