The following was published on 17 June 2013 by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began Phase I of a truck cargo pre-inspection pilot on June 17, 2013 at the Pacific Highway crossing adjacent to Surrey, British Colombia (BC). The project is a collaborative effort by CBP, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Public Safety Canada under the U.S/Canadian “Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness” initiative. Transport Canada and the BC Ministry of Transport are also participating in the pilot.
Phase I of the pilot is designed as a “proof of concept” to determine the viability of assigning CBP officers to Canadian border crossings to pre-inspect southbound trucks, drivers and cargo prior to arrival into the United States. It will also test the viability of developed technologies and joint U.S.-Canada procedures to conduct CBP primary truck processing in Canada. CBP will monitor wait times and provide traffic mitigation as needed.
Only trusted traders participating in CBP’s Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program will be eligible to use the dedicated CBP pre-inspection commercial primary booth located on the Canadian side of the border. Participation is not mandatory. Pre-inspection in Canada will include radiation screening and basic primary processing. Secondary inspections, when required, will continue in the U.S. port of entry.
The pilot will continue in Blaine for up to six months and will operate Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phase II will test the feasibility of reducing cargo wait times.
This article is available at: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/national/06172013_5.xml.