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 coordinate 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 the border.
FAST is an ambitious program both in terms of
its scope and its implementation dates. For the United States
and Mexico, the initiative’s objectives promise to revolutionize
the processing of transborder 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 transborder 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
transborder 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 initial phase of FAST for the United
States and Mexico bound commercial shipments began in 2003 at
the Port of El Paso, Texas.
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 whole 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 who 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 United States, and where
appropriate, must follow ISO/PSA standard 17712.
•Importer Registration: Importers will
complete a FAST Application to 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.
•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.
•Commercial Driver Application: Drivers must
complete a single FAST U.S./Mexico Border Commercial Driver
Application for the United States and Mexico. 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.
Two cargo release methods exist for FAST
processing. The first method is FAST, which is the modified
version of the National Customs Automated Prototype (NCAP) and
the Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS). The initial
implementation of the FAST prototype began in 2002 in Detroit,
Mich. Both cargo release methods are the only accepted
electronic transactions available for FAST processing.
FAST: Modified NCAP/Prototype is the first
complete paperless cargo release mechanism put into place
Customs and Border Protection. 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):
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).
