The FAST program is a bilateral initiative between the United States and Mexico designed to ensure security and safety while enhancing the economic prosperity of both countries.  In developing this program, Mexico and the United States have agreed to harmonize, to the maximum extent possible, their commercial processes for clearance of commercial shipments at the border.  This will promote free and secure trade by using common risk-management principles, supply chain security, industry partnership, and advanced technology to improve the efficiency of screening and clearing commercial traffic at their shared border. 

     FAST is an ambitious program both in terms of its scope and its implementation date. For the United States and Mexico, the initiative’s objectives promise to revolutionize the processing of trans-border trade.

     The program aims to increase the integrity of supply chain security by offering expedited clearance to carriers and importers enrolled in Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). It’s designed to streamline and to integrate registration processes for drivers, carriers, and importers; minimizing paperwork and ensuring only low risk participants are enrolled as members.

     The initiative seeks to expedite the clearance of trans-border shipments of compliant partners by reducing Customs information requirements, dedicating lanes at major crossings to FAST participants, using common technology, and physically examining cargo transported by these low-risk clients with minimal frequency.

     The program is a catalyst for both Customs administrations to participate in the enhanced technologies by using transponders, which would make it easier to clear low risk shipments, and would mitigate the cost of program participation for FAST partners.

Benefits

     FAST approved U.S./Mexico highway carriers will benefit from:

     •Dedicated lanes (where available) for greater speed and efficiency in the clearance of FAST trans-border shipments.

     •Reduced number of examinations for continued compliance with Customs FAST requirements.

     •A strong and ongoing partnership with the Mexican and Customs (C-TPAT) administrations.

     •Enhanced supply chain security and safety while protecting the economic prosperity of both countries.

     •The knowledge that they are carrying shipments for a C-TPAT approved importer.

     •A head start for the upcoming modifications to FAST that will expand eligible electronic cargo release methods.  The FAST processing of Pre Arrival Processing System (PAPS) is currently in use and will commence at locations along the U.S./Mexico border this year.

     The initial phase of FAST for U.S. and Mexico bound commercial shipments began in 2003 at the Port of El Paso, Texas, with the following locations to be operational by January:

     •Laredo/Nuevo Laredo.

     •Hidalgo/Reynosa.

     •Brownsville/Matamoros.

     •Otay Mesa/Tijuana.

     •Calexico/Mexicali.

     •Nogales, Ariz./Nogales, Son.

Qualifications

     FAST is a harmonized clearance process for shipments of known compliant importer.  Thus, any truck using FAST lane processing must be a C-TPAT approved carrier, carrying qualifying goods from a C-TPAT approved manufacturer, importer, and the driver must possess a valid FAST-Commercial Driver Card.  FAST processing is based upon advanced electronic transmission of information.  The following are the key components:

     •Manufacturer Registration:  Mexican manufacturers who are C-TPAT certified will be allowed to participate in the FAST program along the U.S./Mexico Border.  Mexican related party manufacturers that are wholly or majority owned subsidiaries of current C-TPAT importers that are controlled by the C-TPAT importer and are included in the importer’s C-TPAT security profile will be eligible for FAST processing upon completion of the C-TPAT Importer Related Party Manufacturer Information by the C-TPAT importer.  Mexican related party manufacturers that are not included in the C-TPAT importer’s security profile must go through the entire application process for C-TPAT certification. Once certified, these parties will be eligible for FAST processing. Please note that per FAST requirements, Mexican manufacturers must ensure that high security mechanical seals are used on all loaded containers or trailers destined for the U.S., and where appropriate, must follow ISO/PSA standard 17712.  Refer to U.S./Mexico Border C-TPAT/FAST Seal Requirements for more information.

     •Importer Registration:  Importers will complete a FAST Application for Customs and Border Protection in the United States. Importers authorized to use the FAST program for clearance into the United States will have a demonstrated history of complying with all relevant legislative and regulatory requirements, and will have made a commitment to security enhancing business practices as required by C-TPAT.  Please note that per FAST requirements, importers participating in FAST have responsibilities to ensure that high security mechanical seals are used on all loaded containers or trailers destined for the U.S., and where appropriate, must follow ISO/PSA standard 17712.  Refer to U.S./Mexico Border C-TPAT/FAST Seal Requirements for more information.

     •Carrier Registration:  Carriers will complete the FAST U.S./Mexico Border Highway Carrier Application Process requirements that include corporate information, a security profile, and a written U.S./Mexico Border Highway Carrier Agreement.  In order to qualify for FAST Highway Carrier membership into the United States and Mexico, a carrier application must be submitted to the FAST Processing Center.  An independent risk assessment will be performed and once the assessment is complete, an approval for FAST participation will be authorized.  For the United States, a FAST approved carrier will have met all aspects of C-TPAT through the FAST registration process.  Carriers must ensure that all of their employed drivers are in possession of a valid FAST Commercial Driver Identification Card or other identification issued only by CBP.  Please note that per FAST requirements, carriers participating in FAST have responsibilities to ensure that high security mechanical seals are used on all loaded containers or trailers destined for the U.S., and where appropriate, must follow ISO/PSA standard 17712.  Refer to U.S./Mexico Border C-TPAT/FAST Seal Requirements for more information.

     •Commercial Driver Application:  Drivers will complete a single FAST U.S./Mexico Border Commercial Driver Application for the U.S. and Mexico.  U.S. CBP will assess the application for risk.  Applicants identified as low risk will report to an enrollment center where they will be interviewed, have their original identification and citizenship documents reviewed, fingerprinted and have a digital photo taken.  Low-risk applicants will then be issued a FAST – Commercial Driver Identification Card.

Cargo release methods

     The two present cargo release methods for FAST shipments are the National Customs Automated Prototype (NCAP) and the PAPS.   NCAP/FAST processing for FAST began in December 2002. The FAST processing of PAPS shipments is currently taking place.

     •FAST:  FAST is the first completely paperless cargo release mechanism put into place. This paperless processing is achieved through electronic data transmissions and transponder technology. FAST is highly automated and allows for the expedited release of highly compliant cargo from major importers, reducing congestion at our land borders.

     •The Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS)  is a Customs Automated Commercial System (ACS) border cargo release mechanism that utilizes barcode technology to expedite the release of commercial shipments while processing each shipment through Border Cargo Selectivity (BCS) and the Automated Targeting System. (ATS).

Highway safety recommendations

     These are general security recommendations that should be followed on a case-by-case basis depending on the company’s size and structure and may not be applicable to all. These recommendations will assist you in the development, implementation and maintenance of a sound plan to enhance security procedures.

     •Conveyance Security: Integrity should be maintained to protect against the introduction of unauthorized personnel and material. Conveyance security procedures should include tracking and accounting for all conveyances, physical examination of all readily accessible areas, securing all internal/external compartments and panels, and procedures for reporting cases in which unmanifested or non-reported material, or signs of tampering, are discovered.

     •Physical Security: All carrier buildings and yards should be constructed of materials which resist unlawful entry and protect against outside intrusion. Physical security should include adequate locking devices on external and internal doors, windows, gates and fences. Perimeter fencing should be addressed, as well as adequate lighting inside and outside the facility, to include the parking areas. There should be segregation and marking of international, domestic, high-value and dangerous cargo within the warehouse by a safe, caged or otherwise fenced-in area.

     •Access Controls: Unauthorized access to facilities and conveyances should be prohibited. Controls should include the positive identification of all employees, visitors and vendors as well as procedures for challenging unauthorized/unidentified persons.

     •Procedural Security: Procedures should be in place to protect against unmanifested or non-reported material being introduced aboard the conveyance. Security controls should include the proper marking, weighing, counting and documenting of cargo/cargo equipment under the supervision of a designated security representative. Procedures should be in place for verifying seals on containers and trailers and a system for detecting and reporting shortages and overages. The timely movement of incoming and outgoing cargo should be tracked and there should be procedures for notifying Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other law enforcement agencies in cases where anomalies or illegal activities are detected or suspected by the company.

     •Manifest Procedures and Data/Documentation Protection: Companies should ensure that manifests are complete, legible, accurate and submitted in a timely manner to CBP. Measures should be taken to protect electronic assets, including advising employees of the need to protect passwords and computer access. Measures should also be taken to secure the storage of unused forms, including manifests, to prevent the loss or unauthorized use of such documentation.

     •Personnel Security: Companies should conduct employment screening and interviewing of prospective employees to include periodic background checks and application verifications.

     •Education and Training Awareness: A security awareness program should be provided to employees including recognizing internal conspiracies, maintaining cargo integrity and determining and addressing unauthorized access. These programs should encourage active employee participation in security controls.