TORONTO, Ont. — UPS Canada Ltd. has announced it is the first integrated transportation carrier to receive Customs Self Assessment certification from the CCRA for both its air and ground operations.

The CSA plan aims to drastically reduce customs documentation and the cost of international transactions for certified importers and expedite high value low-risk trade between Canada and the United States. To accomplish this, the system will allow importers in Canada to use their own business systems to fully self assess their customs duties and taxes. It is a move away from paper-based reporting to a mandatory electronic environment and a move from interviewing drivers to a pre-registration, pre-approved border clearance program. With 23.2% percent of United States exports coming into Canada, Canada is the US’ largest export destination, making trade between the countries an economic necessity.

Ultimately the CSA program will increase the number of high value shipments released into Canada the same day. The program will enable CCRA to focus on higher risk importers and is expected to reduce lengthy inspections and delays at crossing points. As a CSA approved Canadian importer, qualified shipments are immediately cleared at the border based on as little as three elements: a registered driver, an approved carrier and an approved importer. UPS is certified as a carrier and has registered all of its cross border drivers in the program.

The CSA application is quite extensive and involves a three-part approval process for both importers and carriers. Only companies who have established an exceptional record of customs compliance, and can demonstrate the necessary operational and financial controls to support the CSA program, are in a position to receive certification.