U.S., Canada Agreement to Speed Border Crossing Process

U.S., Canada Agreement to Speed Border Crossing Process
By Kate Rice

The United States and Canada have agreed on new processes to speed the border process for Canadian travelers visiting the United States while enhancing security. Cross-tourism business between the two nations generates nearly $16 billion in spending in the U.S. by Canadians and more than $7 billion of spending by U.S. visitors in Canada. But those numbers are down from the 1990s.

Canadian NEXUS members will be able to enroll in the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) risk-based screening program, PreCheck. Also, Canada and the United States will mutually recognize passenger checkpoint screening measures for trusted air traveler program members. Additionally, other categories of travelers who could be eligible to participate in the program will be considered.

The U.S. and Canada will implement a joint marketing campaign to promote trusted traveler programs, conduct an “enrollment blitz” and implement an expedited renewal process.

A pre-clearance agreement will be created for land, rail and marine modes of transportation to provide the legal framework and reciprocal authorities necessary for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to conduct security, facilitation, and inspection processes in the other country.

CBP and CBSA will develop a plan to identify reasonable and achievable border wait time service levels at major crossings. Real-time border wait time information will be made available to border and transportation agencies and available on the websites of CBP, U.S. Department of Transportation, Transport Canada and CBSA and through other electronic media such as Twitter and the Government of Canada’s Wireless Portal. Real-time information will be available to the public on websites, roadside signs and other traveler information systems by the end of 2013.

Additional committees will be established at the eight international airports in Canada that provide U.S. preclearance. Both the existing and new Binational Port Operations Committees will play an important role in improving how to manage travel and trade flows and expedite the processing of travelers and goods.