The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program is a joint United States-Canadian program between the
Canada Border Services Agency
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA; french: Agence des services frontaliers du Canada, ''ASFC'') is a federal law enforcement agency that is responsible for border control (i.e. protection and surveillance), immigration enforcement, and cu ...
and the
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the largest federal law enforcement agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security. It is the country's primary border control organization, charged with regulating and facilit ...
. The FAST initiative offers pre-authorized importers, carriers and drivers expedited clearance for eligible goods, building on what Canada previously implemented under their
Customs Self Assessment (CSA) program. In French language, FAST is referred to as ''EXPRES – Expéditions rapides et sécuritaires''.
The FAST program offers pre-authorized importers, carriers and drivers expedited clearance for eligible goods, and builds on what Canada has already implemented under the Customs Self Assessment (CSA) program.
The program aims to clear shipments faster and more cheaply by:
* Reducing the information needed for border/customs clearance
* Eliminating the need for importers to transmit data for each transaction
* Dedicating lanes for FAST clearances at border crossings.
* Reducing the rate of border examinations
* Verifying trade compliance away from the border
* Streamlining accounting and payment for all goods imported by approved importers (Canada only)
The FAST Card is available to drivers who have been jointly approved by Canada and the United States. Each country must approve carriers and importers separately. As a result, a FAST importer and/or carrier can choose to be approved only into Canada or only into the United States.
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Enrollment centers are located at major border crossings and offices throughout Canada
History
FAST officially launched in September 2002 along with the
NEXUS program in a joint announcement by President
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, Bush family, and son of the 41st president George H. W. Bush, he ...
and Prime Minister
Jean Chretien
Jean may refer to:
People
* Jean (female given name)
* Jean (male given name)
* Jean (surname)
Fictional characters
* Jean Grey, a Marvel Comics character
* Jean Valjean, fictional character in novel ''Les Misérables'' and its adaptations
* J ...
held at the
Ambassador Bridge
The Ambassador Bridge is a tolled international suspension bridge across the Detroit River that connects Detroit, Michigan, United States, with Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Opened in 1929, it is the busiest international border crossing in North ...
.
Eligibility requirements
Because of increased security concerns in the U.S. as a result of the
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11, were four coordinated suicide terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda against the United States on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. That morning, nineteen terrorists hijacked four commercial ...
, many Canadian commercial drivers are required to obtain a FAST Pass by their employers. However, many of those drivers may not qualify through normal application because of a past criminal record. Moreover, some types of crimes, particularly those involving
illegal drugs
The prohibition of drugs through sumptuary legislation or religious law is a common means of attempting to prevent the recreational use of certain intoxicating substances.
While some drugs are illegal to possess, many governments regulate the ...
or
moral turpitude, may make some Canadian applicants ineligible to enter the United States. Such applicants must first obtain a Canadian pardon and/or a
United States Waiver of Inadmissibility An Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility is an application for legal entry to the United States made by an individual who is otherwise inadmissible on one or more grounds. The application is submitted to the consular office, U.S. Cit ...
(since Canadian pardons are not accepted by the US) before a FAST Card will be issued.
Various companies and legal firms within Canada claim to expedite the process of obtaining the needed pardons from provincial and/or federal agencies, and the U. S. waiver where needed.
See also
*
Intelligent transportation system
*
Radio-frequency identification
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. An RFID system consists of a tiny radio transponder, a radio receiver and transmitter. When triggered by an electromag ...
(
RFID
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. An RFID system consists of a tiny radio transponder, a radio receiver and transmitter. When triggered by an electromag ...
)
*
Roper Industries
Roper Technologies, Inc. (formerly Roper Industries, Inc.) is an American diversified industrial company that produces engineered products for global niche markets. The company is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida.
Roper provides a wide range ...
(TransCore)
*
CANAMEX Corridor
The CANAMEX corridor is a series of improvements to freeways and other transportation infrastructure linking Canada to Mexico through the United States. The corridor was established under the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Currently the corr ...
References
External links
Canada Border Services Agency: FAST Program
{{International-law-stub
Expedited border crossing schemes
Canada–United States border