FORT ERIE, ON – Canadian and U.S. border officials announced changes to the Trusted Traveller and Trusted Trader programs, to strengthen commerce between Canada and the U.S.

“Most significant to the trucking industry is the introduction of Non Resident Importers into Canada’s Customs Self Assessment (CSA) program,” the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) said in a statement.

The CSA program offers low-risk, pre-approved companies streamlined clearance of eligible goods when using a CSA authorized importer, a CSA authorized carrier and an approved commercial driver.

Before the change, only Canadian importers qualified for membership to CSA, but now U.S. companies that import into Canada may also be eligible for the program. 

“While not aimed specifically at the highway carrier program, increased participation from shippers means more qualifying shipments for the FAST lane – a huge benefit for highway carriers hauling those goods,” the CTA stated.

“These improvements further enhance our trade relationship with our U.S. neighbours and highlight our shared commitment to a strong and effective border,” said Rob Nicholson , minister of national defence and MP for Niagara Falls, ON.

Border officials also unveiled CSA-Platinum, a new tier of benefits available to CSA importers who show that their business systems, internal controls and self-testing processes are effective and reliable at ensuring trade compliance.

The new CSA-Platinum benefit aims to assist CSA importers attain the highest rate of compliance with the Canadian Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) trade programs. Importers will be directly responsible for verification and testing of their trade program compliance and by doing so, Platinum members are subject to fewer trade compliance verifications by the CBSA, allowing the Agency to invest resources in areas of higher or unknown risk.

What’s more, the “eGate” pilot project has officially opened, allowing NEXUS members faster passage at the Peace Bridge port of entry in Fort Erie.