Free and Secure Trade (FAST)

U.S./Canada, U.S./Mexico

A United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiative designed to harmonize the commercial processes for clearance of commercial shipments at the U.S./Canada and U.S./Mexico borders. The FAST program is designed to:

1. Increase the integrity of supply chain security by offering expedited clearance to carriers and importers enrolled in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program.
2. Streamline and integrate registration processes for drivers, carriers and importers, minimizing paperwork and ensuring only low-risk participants are enrolled as members.
3. Expedite the clearance of transborder shipments of compliant low-risk partners by: reducing CBP information requirements, dedicating lanes at major crossings to FAST participants, using common technology, and minimal physical cargo examinations.
4. Serve as a catalyst for the Customs’ administrations of the three countries to participate in enhanced technologies by using transponders, which will make it easier to clear low-risk shipments and will mitigate the cost of program participation for FAST partners.

FAST approved highway carriers will benefit from:

1. Dedicated lanes for greater speed and efficiency in the clearance of FAST transborder shipments.
2. Reduced number of examinations for continued compliance with CBP’s FAST requirements.
3. A strong and ongoing partnership with the Canadian Partners in Protection (PIP), CBP’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Mexican Customs administrations.
4. Enhanced supply chain security and safety while protecting the economic prosperity of each country.
5. The knowledge that they are carrying shipments for a C-TPAT-approved importer.
6. A head start for the upcoming modifications to FAST that will expand eligible electronic cargo release methods.

See the FAST section in the Security Appendix.