Fact Sheet

November 2009

Free and Secure Trade program

Free and Secure Trade (FAST) is a commercial clearance program that helps ensure safety and security while expediting legitimate trade across the Canada–U.S. border.

FAST is a joint initiative between the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This program enhances border and trade chain security while making cross-border commercial shipments simpler and subject to fewer delays.

It is a voluntary program that allows the CBSA to work closely with the private sector to enhance border security, combat organized crime and terrorism, and prevent contraband smuggling. And, under the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, FAST members who are Canadian or U.S. citizens can use their FAST membership card as an alternative document to the passport when entering the United States by land or water. Permanent residents of Canada or the United States will still require a passport and visa (if applicable) to enter the United States.

Benefits

As a FAST member,

• you can use dedicated lanes (where available) for faster and more efficient border clearance;
• you benefit from a streamlined process that reduces delivery times and landed costs of imports;
• you don't need to transmit transactional data for every transaction;
• you need minimal documentation to clear the border;
• you have increased certainty at the border, which results in fewer delays;
• you have a unified, ongoing partnership with the CBSA;
• you are helping to promote Canadian competitiveness; and
• you are helping to advance voluntary compliance and self-assessment.

FAST into Canada

FAST builds on the Customs Self Assessment (CSA) program and on the increased security measures under the Partners in Protection (PIP) program. Importers and carriers must be approved in the CSA program and must be participants in the PIP program to be eligible for the FAST program.

FAST into the United States

FAST is a clearance process for low-risk shipments. Any truck that uses a FAST lane must be a U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism-approved carrier and must be carrying qualifying goods from a U.S. C-TPAT-approved importer. Also, the driver must have a valid FAST driver card.

Goods that qualify for the FAST program

To qualify for the streamlined FAST process, goods imported into Canada must meet these conditions:

• They must not be prohibited, controlled or regulated importations as set out in any act of Parliament or provincial legislation;
• They must not be subject to the release requirements of any other government department; and
• They must be shipped direct to Canada from the United States or Mexico.

For more information

Commercial drivers, carriers and importers can find out if they are eligible for FAST and how to apply by calling 1-800-842-7647 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time), by visiting the nearest FAST enrolment centre or by visiting the CBSA's Web site.