CBSA Releases 2018 Departmental Plan

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Departmental Plan for the next two years supports the Government of Canada's effort to improve travel and trade facilitation. The departmental plan covers a number of initiatives specific to various modes. The trade initiatives are as follows:

Pre-Clearance For Cargo

CBSA will continue to advance the development and expansion of the pre-clearance program for cargo. In 2018-19 CBSA will work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on the Bi-national Rail Cargo Pre-screening Pilot. This Pilot involves CBSA Border Services Officers (BSO) pre-screening rail cargo by viewing x-ray images of northbound rail cars at Rouses Point, New York. BSOs working with U.S Customs officers can note any irregularities and finish processing the goods in Canada. This pilot is the first time Canadian BSOs have worked in the U.S. Additional pilot projects are being promoted. Canada is working to develop required legislative and regulatory frameworks to make this a reality. Bill C-23, the Preclearance Act, is one example of this.

Marine Container Examination Facility

CBSA has invested in the new Marine Container Examination Facility at Roberts Banks, which is near completion. This is a joint project with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. This facility is scheduled to be operational in the summer of 2018.

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CBSA Assessment And Revenue Management

The CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) project is forging ahead. This project automates the processes to assess, collect, manage and report on revenue. It enables importers to self-assess and comply with Canada's trade requirements. In 2018-19 CBSA will work with a third party vendor and external stakeholders to proceed with the design phase of the CARM project.

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Improved Compliance And Duty Collection

The CBSA will conduct an analysis in 2018-19 to identify improvements in trade compliance and duty collection as identified in the 2017 Auditor General's Report.

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Anti-Dumping And Countervailing

CBSA will implement new scope proceedings and anti-circumvention investigations to further strengthen the administration of the Anti-dumping and Countervailing Program.

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Trusted Trader Mutual Recognition Arrangements

The CBSA intends to advance the Trusted Trader Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRA) with China and EU and is pursuing an MRA negotiation with Hong Kong and Brazil.

Trusted Trader Corridor Concept

CBSA intends to pilot a Trusted Trader Corridor Concept (TTCC) in the highway mode. The TTCC is expected to create a seamless border experience where pre-approved, low-risk drivers with pre-approved low risk goods can cross the land border though an expedited process.

Harmonize C-TPAT And PIP

CBSA is moving to harmonize the Partners in Protection (PIP) program with the U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program with a focus to implement a joint application process for highway carriers.

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Emerson FAST Lanes

CBSA intends to expand Free And Secure Trade (FAST) by adding FAST lanes in Emerson, Manitoba in late 2018

Revise Trade Appeal

CBSA intends to revise the internal Trade appeal process.

Additional Port Of Entry

And lastly the CBSA will continue to work closely with the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority to advance the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, which will add a new border crossing option at the busiest trade corridor between Canada and the U.S.