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Fact Sheet
September 2002
Clearance Away From the Border
The objective is to develop an integrated approach to improve security and facilitate trade through away-from-the-border processing for truck and rail cargo including the crews. Canadian and American customs and immigration agencies are exploring a number of options including pre-processing centres, land pre-clearance and reverse clearance.
Pre-processing centres are designated areas near the border where paperwork is processed before the goods are released at the primary booth. They will be privately owned facilities, with one already in operation at Fort Erie.
Land pre-clearance is an option where federal inspection services of one country conduct their operations in another country. An example is a shared facility on either side of the border housing both Canadian and American customs and immigration services.
In the case of reverse inspection, federal inspection services from both countries physically switch sides and conduct their operations in the other country.
Discussions on reciprocal land pre-clearance facilities and reverse clearance are continuing regarding the significant legal and political issues inherent in these concepts. Further analysis is necessary and is being undertaken at this time.
