CBP Starts Maritime Cargo Screening Pilot with Canada
The U.S. and Canada began on Oct. 1 a pilot program to harmonize the screening process for maritime cargo between the two countries, CBP and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said. The pilot is part of the "Beyond the Border" initiative, a wide ranging effort to facilitate trade and travel between the U.S. and Canada. The pilot focuses on maritime cargo arriving at Prince Rupert, British Columbia, with subsequent movement via rail before entering the U.S. at International Falls, Minn.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.
A CBP press release is (here). A CBSA fact sheet on the pilot is (here).
Under the Prince Rupert pilot, the U.S. National Targeting Center, will risk-assess all in-transit cargo arriving at the Canadian port and identify the shipments of highest risk. The CBSA will conduct examinations on behalf of CBP for security and contraband. Once the container is opened for examinations, border services officers will also check for wood packaging and soil infractions, said CBSA. Any contraband or security concerns will be dealt with in Canada and information will be shared with the U.S. Examination results will also be shared via U.S. developed systems, allowing real-time sharing of information (both images and examination results). Containers will be secured with high security bolt seals for transit through Canada to the land border.
At the land border, a high security bolt seal will show CBP that the risk has been addressed, thereby eliminating the need for duplicate inspections, said CBSA. The Canadian NTC will continue to risk-assess all cargo arriving as imports.
“The Prince Rupert pilot implemented under the Integrated Cargo Security Strategy is key to the ongoing efforts to facilitate legitimate trade while still maintaining our security mission at the border,” said U.S. Consul General Anne Callaghan. “Harmonization of the cargo screening processes between the United States and Canada should result in a more efficient and secured supply chain and increased competitive economic posture.”
(See ITT's Online Archives 12032620 for summary of the Beyond the Border plan).