The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) posted information to its web site August 22, 2003 announcing that the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Program is scheduled for implementation on the U.S.-Mexico border.

CBP also provided information on how manufacturers, importers, carriers and commercial drivers can apply to join the program.

CBP stated that, under the FAST plan, Mexico and the United States have agreed to harmonize their commercial processes for clearance of commercial shipments at the border, and to promote free and secure trade by using common risk-management principles, supply chain security procedures, industry partnership techniques, and advanced technology to improve the efficiency of screening and clearing commercial traffic at their shared border.

According to CBP, FAST-approved U.S./Mexico highway carriers will benefit from:

• "Dedicated lanes (where available) for greater speed and efficiency in the clearance of FAST Trans-border shipments.
• "Reduced number of examinations for continued compliance with Customs FAST requirements.
• "A strong and ongoing partnership with the Mexican and Customs (C-TPAT) administrations.
• "Enhanced supply chain security and safety while protecting the economic prosperity of both countries.
• "The knowledge that they are carrying shipments for a C-TPAT approved importer.
• "A head start for the upcoming modifications to FAST that will expand eligible electronic cargo release methods. The FAST processing of Pre- Arrival Processing System (PAPS) is currently in use and will commence at locations along the U.S./Mexico border this year."

"FAST is a harmonized clearance process for shipments of known compliant importer," CBP stated in its program description, "Thus, any truck using FAST lane processing must be a C-TPAT approved carrier, carrying qualifying goods from a C-TPAT approved manufacturer, importer, and the driver must possess a valid FAST-Commercial Driver Card. FAST processing is based upon advanced electronic transmission of information."

CBP stated that the key components of participation in FAST include:

• Manufacturer Registration: Mexican manufacturers who are C-TPAT certified will be allowed to participate in the FAST program along the U.S./Mexico Border.
• Importer Registration: Importers will complete a FAST Application to Customs and Border Protection in the United States. Importers authorized to use the FAST program for clearance into the United States will have a demonstrated history of complying with all relevant legislative and regulatory requirements, and will have made a commitment to security enhancing business practices as required by C-TPAT.
• Carrier Registration: Carriers will complete the FAST U.S./Mexico Border Highway Carrier Application Process requirements that include corporate information, a security profile, and a written U.S./Mexico Border Highway Carrier Agreement. In order to qualify for FAST Highway Carrier membership into the U.S. and Mexico, a carrier application must be submitted to the FAST Processing Center. An independent risk assessment will be performed and once the assessment is complete, an approval for FAST participation will be authorized.
• Commercial Driver Application: Drivers will complete a single FAST U.S./Mexico Border Commercial Driver Application for the U.S. and Mexico. U.S. CBP will assess the application for risk. Applicants identified, as low risk will report to an enrollment center where they will be interviewed, have their original identification and citizenship documents reviewed, fingerprinted and have a digital photo taken. Low-risk applicants will then be issued a FAST Commercial Driver Identification Card.

The initial phase of FAST for U.S. and Mexico bound commercial shipments is scheduled to begin in September 2003 at the Port of El Paso, Texas, with additional locations planned to be operational by January 2004. Details for the planned implementation dates in other border ports of entry are available on the CBP we site. The initial FAST commercial driver enrollment center is also scheduled to be operational at the Port of El Paso in September 2003, with additional centers scheduled to be operational by January 2004.

Additional information on the FAST program can be accessed on the CBP web site at: http://www.customs.gov.