Customs Services

Expected Outcome

Performance Summary – We have met this Anticipated Result as demonstrated by the following performance against expectations:

• we have met our key commitments and achieved major milestones
• we have adjusted our plans appropriately as dictated by changing circumstances

Building on the foundation of pre-approval, self-assessment, advance information, and risk-based processing, we collaborated closely with our partners at Canada's borders and began implementing key security initiatives as well as providing effective, predictable processes for low-risk trade and travellers.

We made progress on initiatives to further protect Canadians by helping to identify high and unknown risk travellers and goods before they enter Canada. We introduced the Integrated Primary Inspection Line (IPIL) system with improved document reader technology at all major airports and bus offices to help identify travellers who may warrant further questioning or examination.

Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record (API/PNR), a joint initiative with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), provides key information on air travellers before they arrive in Canada. While originally planned as a pilot in the Customs Action Plan, the scope and timing of this initiative was changed dramatically following the events of September 11. The revised prioritization has resulted in a cost increase of approximately $20 million.

The goal of the Advance Commercial Information (ACI) is to identify shipments with high or unknown risk prior to their arrival in Canada. In 2002-2003, we conducted extensive consultations with the trade community across Canada on how to improve security and risk assessment while allowing legitimate trade to be processed quickly.

In concert with the United States Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (US-BCBP) and CIC, we established Joint Passenger Analysis Unit pilots at Miami and Vancouver international airports and have been assisting the US-BCBP in identifying high-risk marine cargo destined for the U.S. via Canada. Additionally, in March 2003, we received and processed information pertaining to approximately 17,000 terrorist-related lookouts from the US-BCBP. We also collaborated closely with the US-BCBP to enhance the security of both countries while minimizing the administrative burden on the trade community through harmonized processes and requirements. The Intelligence Management System (IMS) was fully implemented on March 31, 2002, to improve the ability of intelligence officers to manage intelligence leads and cases.

In June 2002, the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program was announced. By December 2002, it was implemented at the six busiest commercial land border crossings together with five driver enrolment centres. FAST is a joint harmonized initiative with the US-BCBP and CIC that allows low-risk commercial shipments to clear both Canadian and U.S. customs faster. NEXUS Highway, a similar harmonized program for travellers, was expanded from a pilot to a national program. It was implemented at seven border locations, and we established a joint Canada/U.S. enrolment centre. CANPASS-Air, which allows expedited passage into Canada for pre-approved, low-risk air travellers, was introduced at Vancouver International Airport with the opening of the enrolment centre in March 2003. Building on CANPASS-Air, we completed negotiations with the US-BCBP to pilot a bi-national version, called NEXUS-Air, to offer the program to air travellers in both countries.

2002-2003 has seen considerable success in rolling out a number of projects, although the full measure of their contribution to our outcome will not be felt until take-up rates can be more fully evaluated in the context of a full year.

5-1 Status of Innovation Agenda and Cross References

Map Key	Initiative	Anticipated Results Cross-Reference	Implementation and Take-up
	Advance Passenger Information	1	Implemented in October 2002, 78 carriers reporting We continue to work on Passenger Name Record
	Joint Passenger Analysis Units	1	Pilots in Miami and Vancouver
	Customs Self Assessment	2, 3	Take-up rates: Importers – 50%; Carriers – 270%; Drivers – 135%
	Advance Cargo Reporting	1	Assisting U.S. to identify high-risk cargo destined for the U.S.
	Free and Secure Trade	2, 3, 4	December 2002, implemented at 6 busiest commercial highway offices
	NEXUS Highway	3, 4	7 border locations, 4 enrolment centres, 45,604 active members
	CANPASS–Air	3,4	Enrolment centre in Vancouver opened in March 2003
	Integrated Primary Inspection Line	–	Improved document reader – all major airports and bus offices
	AMPS – Commercial	2	Implemented in October 2002, continued consultations
	IMS	5	Intelligence Management System was fully implemented March 31, 2002
	FAST enrolment centres	2, 3, 4	5 Joint Canada/U.S. enrolment centres opened 2002-2003 (located in U.S.)
	NEXUS enrolment centres	3, 4	4 Joint Canada/U.S. enrolment centres opened 2002-2003 (located in U.S.)
	Shared Border Facilities	–	Scheduled to open 2003-2004

Date modified:

2003-10-29