3 October 2004

OTA Encourages Use of FAST/C-TPAT

The following article is excerpted from the Ontario Trucking Association’s web site of 1 October 2004.

The Ontario shipper community has had a difficult time coming to grips with the benefits FAST/C-TPAT programs. OTA president David Bradley has made this one of his main messages in his speeches to the Ontario shipping community sending product to the U.S. - “Get in FAST or your product will sit at the border!”

Bradley has also been telling the Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development (MED) that the apathy of the exporting community towards this program is dangerous to the economic health of the province.

To date the uptake on the FAST/C-TPAT program has been spearheaded by drivers and carriers. However, at present there are only a handful of shippers that can offer FAST/C-TPAT freight. For those shippers that have made the commitment to join FAST/C-TPAT by becoming the importer of record, there are no more border delays.

FAST/C-TPAT is a competitive advantage for your customers and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will give your customers’ freight preferential treatment at the border.

By participating in this first worldwide supply chain security initiative, companies will ensure a more secure supply chain for their employees, suppliers and customers. Beyond these essential security benefits, [U.S.] Customs will offer potential benefits to C-TPAT members, including:

* A reduced number of inspections (reduced border times)
* An assigned account manager (if one is not already assigned)
* Access to the C-TPAT membership list
* Eligibility for account-based processes (bi-monthly/monthly payments, e.g.)
* An emphasis on self-policing, not Customs verifications

Building upon the huge success of the dedicated FAST lanes at the Blue Water Bridge, which has eliminated border delays for FAST loads, MED will be co-hosting an event with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in Mississauga on November 18, 19 and 20 to market the benefits of the FAST/C-TPAT program to the Ontario shipping community. With dedicated FAST lanes coming to the Port of Buffalo, specifically the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge and possibly the Peace Bridge, the benefit of FAST to the trade community could be widespread if more exporters got into the program. …