CALGARY (Sept 3, 2002) — Canadian Pacific Railway has become the first railway in North America to be approved under a Canada Customs and Revenue Agency program to streamline clearance at the border for imports from the United States.

CPR’s approval as a low-risk carrier under the Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) program means shippers who are also approved as low risk will see their goods enter Canada on CPR as if the border did not exist.

Under the program, CSA-approved shippers must use CSA-approved carriers to get the benefit of borderless entry. In addition, the goods being imported must be approved as low risk. Eligible goods include finished vehicles, parts for vehicles, food products and other common frequently imported items from the U.S.

“Our low-risk designation under the program means CSA-approved shippers can reduce their costs by shipping on CPR,” company president and chief executive Robert Ritchie said in a statement. “CPR is now the only carrier on the continent that offers a rail option to shippers that enables them to take full advantage of their CSA status.”

The CSA program reduces the cost of compliance with Canada’s import regulations. Under the program, approved importers can file monthly summary customs reports on their shipments instead of a report on each shipment. In addition, importers will see improved efficiencies as their goods are delivered directly to their facility without stopping for inspection at the border or waiting to have their goods cleared by customs.

CPR said it also expects to see benefits from improved freight car velocity as shipments for CSA-approved customers move seamlessly to the customer’s siding.