Canada and U.S. to Renew Joint Clearance Talks

(Journal of Commerce Online – R.G.Edmonson)

Meetings planned to revive effort that failed five years ago

The U.S. and Canada will take another look at stationing customs officers in each other’s country to clear goods before they arrive at the border. The Obama administration made a commitment to re-examine the clearance issue after a meeting last month between Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan, according to a spokesman for the minister.

The two countries considered the idea five years ago. Canadian officials proposed zones where customs officers could work side-by-side at a site away from the border, to expedite the movement of goods while maintaining border security.

The idea stalled after Canadians raised questions of national sovereignty. Read more here.