The American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) have teamed up to support a pre-clearance pilot project at the US/Canadian Peace Bridge near Buffalo NY.
The project was announced last month by US Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan.
The project could end in the relocation of all US border functions for both commercial and passenger traffic from Buffalo to Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada.
Both organizations are wary of a second element of the pilot, supposedly favored by some US customs officials, that would limit US functions in Canada to pre-screening only.
The associations also argue that it is essential for the benefits enjoyed by FAST/C-TPAT carriers and drivers to be protected and enhanced. In addition, they call for special consideration for FAST-registered carriers and drivers who by nature of their business carry mixed loads of FAST and non-FAST freight.
The Free and Secure Trade(FAST) program allows US/Canada and US/Mexico partnering importers expedited border crossing for qualifying commercial shipments. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is a joint government-business initiative designed to build cooperative relationships that strengthen overall supply chain and border security.