TORONTO, Ont. — Toronto-based Livingston International Inc. is laying claim to being the first Canadian customs broker to use U.S Custom’s new FAST electronic release system.

Livingston’s first official FAST shipment crossed into the U.S. through Detroit, Michigan last Thursday, according to company officials.

The Free and Secure Trade electronic release system combines tighter border security with greater efficiency, according to Tom Ruth, senior vice-president, brokerage and logistics.

Livingston has been working on a U.S. Customs’ pilot project to provide release information electronically since late 2002. The system, part of Customs’ National Customs Automation Prototype program (NCAP) is available only to C-TPAT (Customs Trade Partnership Against terrorism) accepted importers and carriers, who must make specific, individual commitments to help improve U.S. border security.

Carriers or exporters can access Livingston’s Insight FAST Internet-based application and transmit manifest data to U.S. Customs directly through Livingston’s communications network.

“It is fully integrated with our mainframe operating system and gives both the carrier and importer enhanced visibility, system validations and message confirmation,” explained Ruth.

“In addition, it automatically opens the requisite system files allowing for efficient entry processing and information management.”