U.S. DOT creates registration system for Canadian explosives haulers

WASHINGTON (Feb. 5, 2003, via truckinginfo.com) — The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has issued temporary regulations requiring truck and rail operators carrying explosives from Canada to the United States to register with Transport Canada, the Canadian agency responsible for transportation safety.

Under the interim final rule, drafted by DOT’s Transportation Security Administration, Transport Canada will conduct checks to ensure that both the carriers and their customers are legitimate entities. Transport Canada will also do security checks on drivers. It will then forward lists of approved carriers, shippers and drivers to the TSA. TSA will make additional checks as appropriate and forward the lists to the U.S. Customs Service. Customs will only allow Canadian explosives carriers to enter the U.S. if the carrier, shipper and operator are on the approved list.

DOT said the public will have 30 days to comment on the interim final rule, which is intended only as a temporary measure until it completes consultations with Canada and other U.S. government agencies and issues more comprehensive regulations regarding background checks.

DOT is also consulting with the Mexican government to develop a similar system of security checks.

The rule was published in the Feb. 6 Federal Register.