Roadway Express Inc. of Akron, Ohio, and its Canadian subsidiary, Reimer Express Lines Ltd. of Winnipeg, Canada have signed the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism
(C-TPAT) with the U.S. Customs Service, as well as the Partners In Protection (PIP) memorandum of understanding with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.
Both programs are part of the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Highway carrier application process.
Last summer, Deputy Prime Minister John Manley and U.S. Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, announced a new program called Free and Secure Trade (FAST). Then in September, President Bush and Canada Prime Minister Jean Chretien announced new border security measures (FAST) at the Windsor/Ambassador Bridge in Detroit, Mich.
The purpose of FAST is to tighten border security while keeping the border open to the free flow of known, low-risk legitimate trade while enhancing the economic prosperity of both countries. The program offers expedited clearance processes for commercial shipments crossing the border both north and south and providing a FAST lane for trucks wherever possible. This will promote free and secure trade by using common risk-management principles, supply chain security, industry partnership and advanced technologies to improve the efficiency of screening and clearing commercial traffic at the shared border.
Next month, FAST will roll out at six border sites.