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Overview

The FAST program is a bilateral initiative between the United States and Mexico designed to ensure security and safety while enhancing the economic prosperity of both countries.  In developing this program, Mexico and the United States have agreed to coordinate to the maximum extent possible, their commercial processes for clearance of commercial shipments at the border.  This will promote free and secure trade by using common risk-management principles, supply chain security, industry partnership, and advanced technology to improve the efficiency of screening and clearing commercial traffic at our shared border. 

Objectives

FAST is an ambitious program both in terms of its scope and its implementation dates.  For the United States and Mexico, the initiative’s objectives promise to revolutionize the processing of transborder trade: 

1.      The program aims to increase the integrity of supply chain security by offering expedited clearance to carriers and importers enrolled in Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).

2.      It’s designed to streamline and to integrate registration processes for drivers, carriers, and importers; minimizing paperwork and ensuring only low risk participants are enrolled as members.

3.      The initiative seeks to expedite the clearance of transborder shipments of compliant partners by reducing Customs information requirements, dedicating lanes at major crossings to FAST participants, using common technology, and physically examining cargo transported by these low-risk clients with minimal frequency.

4.      The program is a catalyst for both Customs administrations to participate in the enhanced technologies by using transponders, which would make it easier to clear low risk shipments, and would mitigate the cost of program participation for FAST partners.

Benefits

FAST approved U.S./Mexico highway carriers will benefit from: 

1.      Dedicated lanes (where available) for greater speed and efficiency in the clearance of FAST transborder shipments.

2.      Reduced number of examinations for continued compliance with Customs FAST requirements.

3.      A strong and ongoing partnership with the Mexican and Customs (C-TPAT) administrations.

4.      Enhanced supply chain security and safety while protecting the economic prosperity of both countries.   

5.      The knowledge that they are carrying shipments for a C-TPAT approved importer.

6.      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.

Inauguration

The initial phase of FAST for the United States and Mexico bound commercial shipments began on September 27, 2003 at the Port of El Paso, Texas.  Additional dedicated FAST lane processing is available at the following locations:

Qualifications

FAST is a harmonized clearance process for shipments of known compliant importer.  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.  The following are the key components:  

§         Manufacturer Registration: Mexican manufacturers who are C-TPAT certified will be allowed to participate in the FAST program along the U.S./Mexico Border.  Mexican related party manufacturers that are whole or majority owned subsidiaries of current C-TPAT importers that are controlled by the C-TPAT importer and are included in the importer’s C-TPAT security profile will be eligible for FAST processing upon completion of the C-TPAT Importer Related Party Manufacturer Information by the C-TPAT importer.  Mexican related party manufacturers who are NOT included in the C-TPAT importer’s security profile must go through the entire application process for C-TPAT certification. Once certified, these parties will be eligible for FAST processing. Please note that per FAST requirements, Mexican manufacturers must ensure that high security mechanical seals are used on all loaded containers or trailers destined for the United States, and where appropriate, must follow ISO/PSA standard 17712.  Refer to U.S./Mexico Border C-TPAT/FAST Seal Requirements for more information. 

§         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.  Please note that per FAST requirements, importers participating in FAST have responsibilities to ensure that high security mechanical seals are used on all loaded containers or trailers destined for the United States, and where appropriate, must follow ISO/PSA standard 17712.  Refer to U.S./Mexico Border C-TPAT/FAST Seal Requirements for more information. 

§         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 United States 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.  For the United States, a FAST approved carrier will have met all aspects of C-TPAT through the FAST registration process.  Carriers must ensure that all of their employed drivers are in possession of a valid FAST Commercial Driver Identification Card or other identification issued only by CBP.  Please note that per FAST requirements, carriers participating in FAST have responsibilities to ensure that high security mechanical seals are used on all loaded containers or trailers destined for the U.S., and where appropriate, must follow ISO/PSA standard 17712.  Refer to U.S./Mexico Border C-TPAT/FAST Seal Requirements for more information. 

§         Commercial Driver Application: Drivers must complete a single FAST U.S./Mexico Border Commercial Driver Application for the United States and Mexico.  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.  

§         FAST Driver Enrollment Centers: FAST commercial driver enrollment centers are operational at the ports of:

            Otay Mesa, California

            Calexico, California

            Nogales, Arizona

            El Paso, Texas

            Laredo, Texas

            Pharr, Texas

            Brownsville, Texas

Cargo Release Methods

Two present cargo release methods exist for FAST processing. The first method is FAST, which is the modified version of the National Customs Automated Prototype (NCAP) and the Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS).  More detailed information on these two release methods may be obtained from Federal Register Notice Volume 68, Number 186, published on September 25, 2003, titled the Modification to the Free and Secure Trade Prototype.  The initial implementation of the FAST prototype began in December 16, 2002 in Detroit, Michigan. Both cargo release methods are the only accepted electronic transactions available for FAST processing.   

§         FAST:  Modified NCAP/Prototype is the first complete paperless cargo release mechanism put into place Customs and Border Protection. This paperless processing is achieved through electronic data transmissions and transponder technology.  FAST is highly automated and allows for the expedited release of highly compliant cargo from major importers, reducing congestion at our land borders.  

§         The Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS): PAPS is a Customs Automated Commercial System (ACS) border cargo release mechanism that utilizes barcode technology to expedite the release of commercial shipments while processing each shipment through Border Cargo Selectivity (BCS) and the Automated Targeting System (ATS).

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