BCTA, CBP working to increase carrier CTPAT/FAST benefits

SURREY, B.C. — US Customs and Border Protection announced that it will allow C-TPAT and FAST-approved carriers temporary access to the Lynden crossing during construction of a new booth at the Pacific Highway border.

CBP also said it would consider a better lane configuration option for the southbound FAST lane. Nothing is definite, however.

Both moves were strongly advocated by the B.C. Trucking Association.

CBP previously recommended that carriers use the Sumas (Huntingdon) crossing in Abbotsford as an alternative during construction of the primary truck lane at Blaine (which is expected to continue through the middle of Oct.).

Lynden, which is normally a permit port, would be open for FAST shipments between 8 am and 4 pm daily, while Sumas continues to be open for cargo shipments by all carriers 24 hours a day.

BCTA notes that the port code transmitted on the e-manifest and entry form must be the same. CBP can make this change at Lynden or Sumas if a shipper needs to divert a shipment from Pacific Highway; however, CBP cannot change the port code for any cargo that requires US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Prior Notice.

CBP is meeting with the Canada Border Services Agency and Canadian and US government transportation stakeholders in
mid-September 2011 to discuss an alternate solution to its original plan to open the FAST lane to all commercial vehicles.

Discussions will be about maintaining a southbound FAST approach lane via 2nd Avenue (behind the duty-free shop) but without a dedicated FAST primary inspection booth, an option that BCTA recommended with support from members.

"This compromise strikes a balance between reducing border wait times for all commercial traffic while maintaining FAST benefits for participating carriers," BCTA stated in a memo to members.

Details will also be worked out for implementing the new lane configuration, including among others, funding to make appropriate changes, ensuring proper enforcement to avoid queue jumping, and a timeline for implementation.