The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is a voluntary partnership between Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the trade to secure the international supply chain.

In return for partners securing their supply chains, CBP offers C-TPAT shipments expedited processing and provides C-TPAT participants with other benefits.

Benefits of C-TPAT Certification

• Automatic Access to the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program
• Reduced Automated Targeting System (ATS) scoring, for less frequent inspections
• Shipments for inspections directed to the front of the line during random inspection or other agency requirements
• C-TPAT ” Best Practices” members will rarely face random inspections
• Expedited clearance times
• Significantly reduced enforcement and compliance inspections
• Access to CBP training seminars open only to certified members

Partners in Protection (PIP) is a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) program that enlists the cooperation of private industry to enhance border and trade chain security, combat organized crime and terrorism and help detect and prevent contraband smuggling.

In 2007, under the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America, the Government of Canada announced $11.6 million in funding to strengthen the PIP program in order to achieve mutual recognition and compatibility with the U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. This milestone was reached on June 28, 2008, when the CBSA signed an arrangement with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Benifits of PIP Certification

• Required by CSA particpants for automatic access to the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program.
• Reduced Automated Targeting System (ATS) scoring, for less frequent inspections.
• Shipments for inspections directed to the front of the line during random inspection or other agency requirements.
• Enhanced reputation as being low-risk companies.
• Expeditied clearance times.
• Significantly reduced enforcement and compliance inspections.
• Shipments are eligible for expedited cross-border clearance through Canada’s Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program.

The Customs Self Assessment (CSA) is a CBSA program which gives approved importers the benefits of a streamlined accounting and payment process for all imported goods. As an alternative clearance stream for low-risk, high-volume imports, CSA essentially shifts customs accounting and payment away from single transactions in favor of an approach based on monthly reporting.

CSA is the first step in becoming FAST approved northbound into Canada. Much like FAST, the carrier, driver and importer all must be CSA approved.

When an importer becomes a CSA registered member, they must use a CSA approved carrier and a CSA registered driver to bring shipments into Canada. This process will end the need for customs paperwork to be processed by drivers on CSA loads. A CSA approved driver hauling a CSA load must show a photo identification card at the customs booth to enter the country without having to clear the load. All paperwork must be done in advance. Bills signed by the consignee will be proof-of-delivery and considered ‘release of the load’ by Canada Customs.

Benifits of CSA Certification

• Speed & efficiency at customs.
• Minimal paperwork to provide at customs.
• Compliance with Canadian customs.
• Automatic access to the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program.
• Streamlined clearance option for CSA eligible goods.
• The streamlined clearance option eliminates the requirement for any transactional transmissions of data related to eligible goods.
• Expeditied clearance times.
• Significantly reduced enforcement and compliance inspection.

The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program is a safety program that aims at improving safety and speed of legal trade across the Canada- US border. The FAST program is ideal for commercial truck drivers who are permanent Canadian or US citizens. The FAST card owners clear from customs faster than non-FAST card owners. Expedited custom clearance is not the only benefit of having a FAST card, other benefits include:

• Minimum identification required at border crossing points
• Use of dedicated lanes at border crossing points for quicker border clearance.
• FAST card owners can use the card as identification on all highway lanes and it can be used as proof of Canadian citizenship.
• FAST program improved delivery time and landing cost of imports.
• FAST cards provide assurance and consequently reduce delays due to documentation certification.
• The Fast Program advocates voluntary compliance and assessment which consequently improves Canada’s competitiveness.