FAST is the acronym for “Free and Secure Trade.” It is a bilateral initiative between the United States and Canada and the United States and Mexico that gives partnering importers expedited release at national borders when transportation is by truck. It is for qualifying commercial shipments through risk-management principles, supply-chain security, industry partnerships and advanced targeting. Obtain a copy of our FAST certificate.

View our certifications.

You must first be enrolled in C-TPAT (for U.S. companies) or PIP (for Canadian companies). Then, an officer of your company must sign and submit a Memorandum of Understanding to the government. 

For more information, call our border ambassadors at 800-329-0973.

C-TPAT stands for “Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism,” and PIP stands for “Partners in Protection.” C-TPAT is a program of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and PIP is a program of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

This depends on the size of your company and your existing security measures. Examples of security measures include: procedural security, trailer seals reconciliation, physical security, personnel security, education and training, manifest procedures and conveyance procedures. It’s mandatory for all eligible C-TPAT participants to use the C-TPAT Security Link Internet Portal for application and communication with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

• Part 1: Sign a Memorandum of Understanding.
• Part 2: Complete the supply-chain security profile questionnaire. C-TPAT and PIP are prerequisites to obtain FAST certification. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will provide a supply-chain security specialist to help you through your security process and identify any gaps. The government expects documented, verifiable security programs, consistent with C-TPAT minimum-security criteria.

Importers who are not approved for C-TPAT (U.S. companies) or PIP (Canadian companies) will lose their approved status for other Customs programs even if they are already participating. Programs that require participants to be PIP- or C-TPAT-certified include: customs’ existing programs, such as Importer Self Assessment, Low Risk Importers, Customs Self Assessment (CSA), Free and Secure Trade (FAST), Advance Commercial Information, Automated Commercial Environment and National Customs Automation Program (ACENCAP).

• Secure supply chain
• Reduced number of inspections
• Reduced border clearance times
• Protection of company name and reputation
• Reduced cost of compliance with customs requirements
• Corporate citizenship and commitment to supply-chain security
• Dedicated lanes at designated crossing points for greater speed and efficiency in clearing FAST cross-border shipments. If there is another terrorism incident, FAST participants would be first in line for shipment clearance
• Strong and continuing partnership with Canada and U.S. customs administrations
• Open door for future customs programs
• Opportunity to identify other certified supply-chain partners with whom you can do business

Being a FAST, C-TPAT or PIP importer saves time at the border. It avoids delays during inspections and expedites the flow of goods. It may give your company access to the FAST lane. There could be a possible reduction in loss, damage and pilferage of your goods.

ACI, or Advanced Commercial Information, is a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) effort to make its borders more secure while facilitating the movement of low-risk shipments into Canada. ACI mandates that the CBSA receive electronic pre-arrival cargo and conveyance information so that the agency is equipped with the right information at the right time to identify health, safety and security threats related to commercial goods before those goods arrive in Canada.

eManifest is the third phase of ACI. Beginning in November 2012, eManifest required carriers to electronically submit cargo and conveyance information before shipments reached the border. This facilitates efficient and speedy movement of goods across the border.

ACI became effective in May 2013 by which time highway carriers had to be compliant. After this date, noncompliant carriers may be penalized and refused entry into Canada, according to the CBSA.

YRC Freight has already transitioned to the new ACI eManifest. Since 2004, we’ve been an EDI carrier, successfully transmitting data electronically. Now, by mandate, everyone must follow our lead.

YRC Freight is Best at the Border, so it’s not surprising that our personnel provided insight as the new requirements were being developed. Not only did our involvement help shape the ACI and eManifest system and processes, it also allowed us to address compliance requirements. We’ve now taken care of everything necessary to comply with the new requirements.

It is very important that you provide a good description of the goods being moved on your shipment’s bill of lading. YRC Freight will use that information to complete the eManifest. In addition and as always, ensure that the Importer of Record (party responsible for duties and taxes) and Broker are clearly noted on your customs documentation.

For more information about ACI requirements, how they apply to you or what YRC Freight is doing to ensure compliance, call our border ambassadors at 800-329-0973.

The current phase of ACI requires carriers to submit data via eManifest. YRC Freight has been submitting electronic data since 2004, so our customers will experience no changes. As the Best at the Border, we always strive to eliminate complexity and provide a consistent experience to our Cross-Border shippers. While CBP and CBSA are always working to change and improve border security, YRC Freight stays ahead of the curve—we know what’s coming thanks to our strong relationships on both sides of the border, and in many cases even help guide the changes to deliver the best possible outcomes for our customers.

No. When you sign the Memorandum of Understanding, you are committing to communicate that everyone in the supply chain has signed up. You must ask your broker to apply for participation in C-TPAT or PIP or find a broker who is already certified.

The National Customs Automation Program is an automated and electronic system for processing commercial imports.

You must submit the notice electronically, and the FDA must approve your shipment no more than five days and no less than eight hours for food arriving by water; four hours for food arriving by air or rail; and two hours for food arriving by truck before the food is at the arrival port.

Any individual with knowledge of the required information may submit the notice, including, but not limited to, brokers, importers and U.S. agents.