CTA looks for greater fairness and use of ‘volumetrics’ with AMPs system

by Truck News

TORONTO, Ont. – With Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) looking to return to a graduated Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) system, the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is calling for greater fairness and the use of ‘volumetrics’ for Advanced Commercial Information (ACI) compliance.

“The AMPs penalty regime needs to recognize the difference between a clerical error and what truly is a national security risk,” said Stephen Laskowski, senior vice-president of the CTA. “The industry has already demonstrated a high level of compliance, and CTA feels it is necessary for CBSA to take steps to address the effectiveness of a penalty system using volumetrics, which creates fairness for all sizes of carriers and continues to measure risk for the Government of Canada.”

The CTA said it is appreciative that the CBSA has worked with the carrier community to help with the transition and correct ACI errors, as well as mitigate some issues with the current system.

“CTA has long argued that an AMPS penalty system should be corrective, rather than punitive, in nature and should encourage carriers to work with CBSA to develop compliance plans that work for all parties involved,” said Laskowski. “To the credit of CBSA officials, the agency has indicated a willingness to continue working with carriers through additional outreach to address ongoing issues with non-compliance and by introducing temporary, AMPS mitigation policies until the end of December 2016.”

Two examples of temporary AMPs mitigation policies are, 1) only conveyance penalties to be issued until Dec. 31, 2016, and 2) bundling of penalties.

“We remain hopeful that a volumetric solution, along with a review of fine levels based on these volumetrics, can be developed over 2017 leading to a clearer and fairer system of AMPs enforcement,” added Laskowski.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*