FAST: Speeding Up The Process

By now, you've probably heard about the FAST program. Fast is an acronym for The Free and Secure Trade program is a joint Canada-U.S. initiative involving the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the United States Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The whole idea behind FAST is to move goods across the border more quickly and efficiently, without the usual delays resulting from the need to verify trade compliance at the port of entry.

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. When it works, everyone wins.

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.

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

In order for FAST to work, all three elements of the program must be in place:

~ FAST-approved drivers
~ FAST-approved carriers
~ FAST-approved shippers moving FAST-approved goods

So far, the FAST program has been pretty slow to catch on. As of late December, only eight Canadian importers have been approved for FAST clearance at the border, but there are 132 carriers registered for outbound shipments (to the U.S.), 690 carriers registered to for inbound shipments, and there are roughly 6800 drivers registered and approved for FAST. In contrast, there are some 2900 American importers approved for FAST clearance.

One of the stumbling blocks, so far, has been the slow buy-in by the shipping community, and a slow buy-in by drivers.

Drivers remain reluctant to pay the $80 application fee because the lack of perceived benefit, ie, that the trucks don't seen to be getting across the borders any faster because of the delays at the approach lanes. That is changing, however, and one only has to look to the Ambassador Bridge and its special access lanes for FAST approved shipments.

Given the relatively slow start-up top FAST, now is a good time to apply for a FAST card. The lines are short: the application time is currently about one month between the time the application is received and the interview is granted. So why wait?

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
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
Emerson, Manitoba / Pembina, North Dakota
North Portal, Saskatchewan / Portal, North Dakota
Coutts, Alberta / Sweetgrass, Montana
Pacific Highway, British Columbia / Blaine, Washington

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 centers 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

What are the eligibility requirements for drivers?

Drivers applying to the FAST program may qualify if they:
~ are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or Canada;
~ are admissible to Canada or the U.S. under applicable immigration laws;
~ are at least 18 years of age;
~ have a valid driver's licence; and
~ are of good character.

Drivers must also pass a criminal record search, conducted by officials in both Canada and the U.S.

For more information of FAST, visit the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency's website. For your convienence, we've posted a fillable application below, and well as a FAST information guide.

The FAST site has answers to all the questions you may have.

LINKS

FAST Home Page
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/fast/menu-e.html

FAST Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/fast/faq-e.html

FAST-app.PDF

FAST-guide.pdf

In the Magazine You'll find these and other stories in the highwaySTAR print magazine this month. Available at your favourite truckstop. The up-and-down rollercoaster of diesel prices shows they're on the rise again. Maintain your truck, watch your fuel mileage grow. A new engine from PACCAR, a steerable trailer axle, routing software, and fiberglass fenders.