Canadian Programs

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), inaugurated in 2000, is designed to improve Canada's border security and facilitate trade. As a result of the Smart Border Accord and the Customs Action Plan, two key programs were developed; the Advanced Commercial Information (ACI) and the Customs Self Assessment (CSA) programs.

The CSA program offers approved importers and carriers the benefits of a simplified customs release option and streamlined accounting and payment process for all imported goods. The CSA clearance option exempts the importer from ACI requirements and the streamlined accounting and payment process ends the need for importers to maintain separate and costly customs processes, allowing them to use their own business systems to fully self-assess and meet their customs obligations.

The Advanced Commercial Information (ACI) has been developed for risk-management processes for unknown and high-risk shipments to help provide protection at the Canadian border and facilitate trade.

To support this risk-assessment process, the CBSA requires electronic conveyance and cargo data to be provided before goods arrive in Canada. The CBSA will use a risk-management approach, with sophisticated targeting to detect "high-risk or unknown shipments."

The new Customs Self Assessment (CSA) program, which has streamlined release and accounting processes, changes the customs process by replacing the existing transactional model with a self-assessment process. Companies have the opportunity to reduce their cost of compliance while enhancing their ability to comply with customs requirements, according to CSCB's website.

"The streamlined accounting and payment process" means importers are no longer required to maintain separate and costly customs processes. The CSA program provides approved importers, carriers and registered drivers with the benefits of a streamlined clearance option for CSA eligible goods.

Under the auspices of this program, the combined transmission of cargo and release data isn't required. Instead, the clearance of goods is based on the identification of the approved importer, approved carrier and registered driver.

ACI requires importers to provide trade compliance data, including the classification of each item to be imported before it arrives at the border. The timing of this transmission depends on the mode of transport involved. It also noteworthy that the ACI program is predicated on the view that such data is available prior to goods arriving at the border and that importers are capable of transmitting this information electronically.

As an alternative to ACI, CBSA created the CSA program to enable some Canadian importers to benefit from their CBSA designation of low-risk importers.

Free and Secure Trade (FAST)

The new programs enable customs officers to focus on those imported goods from companies that are not CSA approved. Conversely, CSA approved companies benefit from a separate FAST truck lane to cross the U.S.-Canada border.

Partners in Protection

The CBSA Website notes Partners in Protection (PIP) is designed to "enhance border security, combat organized crime and terrorism, increase awareness of customs compliance issues, and help detect and prevent contraband smuggling."

Participating organizations are required to sign a partnership agreement with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

To enhance and strengthen of a company's security processes CBSA requires participants to conduct a self-assessment of their security systems to help CBSA identify weaknesses in security processes and address deficiencies. Organizations that join PIP will are eligible to participate in the Free and Secure Trade Program (FAST). "FAST will make cross-border commercial shipments simpler and subject to fewer delays, all while enhancing security."

U.S. Programs

The Importer Self-Assessment Program (ISA)

The ISA is a new program of the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) that is designed to work in tandem with the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).

The United States' ISA is a voluntary program to support resident importers that work with the CBP to improve trade compliance. ISA participants are responsible for their self-assessment and they must assess areas of risk, communicate with CBP and monitor their customs operations.

The ISA program is a trade facilitation partnership between CBP and importers and as a voluntary program it affords companies maximum control over their customs compliance. It is built on knowledge, trust and a willingness to maintain an ongoing CBP/company relationship.

Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)

C-TPAT and Status Verification Interface (SVI)

Certified C-TPAT partners need to verify the participation status of their other eligible C-TPAT business partners. CBP has developed the Status Verification Interface (SVI) to allow, "consenting certified C-TPAT partners to verify the participation status of other consenting certified C-TPAT partners. Each party must have consented to the release of their company name among the C-TPAT membership. The SVI is the point of electronic access to verify the C-TPAT status of another Status Verification Interface Participant (SVIP)."

The Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) for North America

Canada, the United States and Mexico announced the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) for North America on March 23, 2005 in Waco, Texas.

This agreement provides a framework for Canada, the United States and Mexico to advance collaboration in areas as diverse as security, transportation, the environment and public health. On March 31, this year, Canadian Prime Minister Harper, President Bush and Mexico's President Fox reviewed progress on implementing the SPP.

In Canada, a budget document, announced May 2, 2006, included an additional (CDN) $1.4 billion over two years to secure Canada's borders and to increase Canada's preparedness to address public health threats.