(CBSA)
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that it has signed three Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) with customs organizations in Japan, Singapore and South Korea. The new arrangements will promote a smarter, more secure and efficient border.
The signing took place at the World Customs Organization in Brussels, Belgium. The MRAs confirm that Japan, Singapore and South Korea are using criteria similar to those used by Canada’s Partners in Protection (PIP) program when granting companies membership to their respective cross-border programs: Japan’s Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, Singapore’s Secure Trade Partnership program and South Korea’s AEO program.
“The signing of these three arrangements is an excellent opportunity for Canada to further develop its trade relationships with Japan, Singapore and South Korea,” said Stephen Rigby, President of the CBSA. “This will provide Canadian companies greater facilitation in these key foreign markets, while further ensuring the security of the supply chain.”
This international cooperation will allow customs agents to focus their efforts on unknown or high-risk areas – a demonstration of how Canada is moving forward to increase cargo security on an international scale while continuing to support economic prosperity.
Members of the CBSA’s Partners in Protection program benefit from having an enhanced reputation as low-risk companies and attract business partners looking for companies with high security standards. In addition, participation in PIP is a prerequisite for expedited cross-border clearance through their participation in Canada’s Free and Secure Trade program.
Showing posts with label Partners in Protection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Partners in Protection. Show all posts
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
PIP-C-TPAT Harmonization Challenges
(CBSA-IE Canada)
CBSA’s Director, Program Division Writes to I.E.Canada…
Following is an extract from CBSA Program Director Claude St.Denis’ recent letter to I.E.Canada president Mary Anderson regarding the current problems implementing a seamless interface between the C-TPAT and PIP security programs:
We understand that industry’s original expectations were that mutual recognition would mean that a company would be able to apply to one and receive membership in both. We believe that this concept between Canada and the U.S. makes sense. Mutual recognition was, however, accomplished with the U.S. in accordance with the World Customs Organization’s SAFE Framework of Standards and the Authorized Economic Operator concept, and how the U.S.’s C-TPAT program wanted to proceed. Under this concept, programs that have reached mutual recognition remain separate and companies must continue to apply for membership into each separate program. Essentially, mutual recognition assures that both countries have similar minimum security requirements, similar site validations practices, and offer similar benefits.
That being said, we have a very strong working relationship with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and its Customs and Trade Partnership against Terrorist (C-TPAT) program. Consultations are ongoing to streamline and standardize the two programs. For example, PIP and C-TPAT are working together to develop a unified site validation report. This will provide a strong foundation upon which to harmonize C-TPAT and PIP.
As mentioned... a critical component of harmonization is the development and implementation of a web portal. To this end, the PIP program recently developed a high level business requirements document leveraging C-TPAT’s web portal requirements. All options were considered, including using C-TPAT’s web portal, and it was determined through this analysis that PIP would be required to develop its own web portal. The PIP program is currently seeking funding for the web portal. Once funding is allocated, industry will be consulted on the design of the portal. At this time, and given that we are seeking funding, we are unable to provide specifics in terms of strategies and timeframes surrounding harmonization.
We have taken note of your recommendation that we immediately harmonize the PIP/C-TPAT application forms. Our automated solution and application processing is dependant on our current application form format. Modifying it would require significant changes to our recently developed system for the PIP program’s modernization. Given the investment required to make these changes, and that harmonization with C-TPAT is potentially on the horizon, and the risks associated with system changes, the CBSA has deemed it preferable at this time to wait until we can build a web portal to develop a unified application. Furthermore, the current PIP/C-TPAT applications, although different in structure, have significant similarities.
Read the complete letter here (PDF).
CBSA’s Director, Program Division Writes to I.E.Canada…
Following is an extract from CBSA Program Director Claude St.Denis’ recent letter to I.E.Canada president Mary Anderson regarding the current problems implementing a seamless interface between the C-TPAT and PIP security programs:
We understand that industry’s original expectations were that mutual recognition would mean that a company would be able to apply to one and receive membership in both. We believe that this concept between Canada and the U.S. makes sense. Mutual recognition was, however, accomplished with the U.S. in accordance with the World Customs Organization’s SAFE Framework of Standards and the Authorized Economic Operator concept, and how the U.S.’s C-TPAT program wanted to proceed. Under this concept, programs that have reached mutual recognition remain separate and companies must continue to apply for membership into each separate program. Essentially, mutual recognition assures that both countries have similar minimum security requirements, similar site validations practices, and offer similar benefits.
That being said, we have a very strong working relationship with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and its Customs and Trade Partnership against Terrorist (C-TPAT) program. Consultations are ongoing to streamline and standardize the two programs. For example, PIP and C-TPAT are working together to develop a unified site validation report. This will provide a strong foundation upon which to harmonize C-TPAT and PIP.
As mentioned... a critical component of harmonization is the development and implementation of a web portal. To this end, the PIP program recently developed a high level business requirements document leveraging C-TPAT’s web portal requirements. All options were considered, including using C-TPAT’s web portal, and it was determined through this analysis that PIP would be required to develop its own web portal. The PIP program is currently seeking funding for the web portal. Once funding is allocated, industry will be consulted on the design of the portal. At this time, and given that we are seeking funding, we are unable to provide specifics in terms of strategies and timeframes surrounding harmonization.
We have taken note of your recommendation that we immediately harmonize the PIP/C-TPAT application forms. Our automated solution and application processing is dependant on our current application form format. Modifying it would require significant changes to our recently developed system for the PIP program’s modernization. Given the investment required to make these changes, and that harmonization with C-TPAT is potentially on the horizon, and the risks associated with system changes, the CBSA has deemed it preferable at this time to wait until we can build a web portal to develop a unified application. Furthermore, the current PIP/C-TPAT applications, although different in structure, have significant similarities.
Read the complete letter here (PDF).
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Partners in Protection Program (PIP) Update
(CBSA)
Partners in Protection (PIP) is a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) program that enlists the cooperation of private industry to enhance border and trade chain security, combat organized crime and terrorism and help detect and prevent contraband smuggling.
It is a voluntary program with no membership fee that aims to secure the trade chain, one partnership at a time. Industry strongly supports the PIP program and greatly values the commitment of PIP members to do their part, together with the CBSA, to secure the supply chain and facilitate legitimate trade.
Be on this list of participating PIP members: (last update July 10, 2009)
PIP Legacy Members (last updated May 29, 2009): Legacy Members are those who joined PIP before new security requirements were introduced on June 30, 2008. PIP legacy members have until March 31, 2009 to re-apply under the modernized program. As of April 1st 2009, only those legacy members that have re-applied and are awaiting approval are listed.
Note: Only members that have given permission to publish their names are included / listed.April 28th, 2009: updated list here
Keep in mind PIP is the security component for FAST into Canada! Don’t risk your current FAST approvals!
Contact us today! Let us assist you in meeting your security responsibility into Canada!
FOR FOR MORE INFORMATION : Visit the CBSA website or call 519-966-9821
Partners in Protection (PIP) is a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) program that enlists the cooperation of private industry to enhance border and trade chain security, combat organized crime and terrorism and help detect and prevent contraband smuggling.
It is a voluntary program with no membership fee that aims to secure the trade chain, one partnership at a time. Industry strongly supports the PIP program and greatly values the commitment of PIP members to do their part, together with the CBSA, to secure the supply chain and facilitate legitimate trade.
Be on this list of participating PIP members: (last update July 10, 2009)
PIP Legacy Members (last updated May 29, 2009): Legacy Members are those who joined PIP before new security requirements were introduced on June 30, 2008. PIP legacy members have until March 31, 2009 to re-apply under the modernized program. As of April 1st 2009, only those legacy members that have re-applied and are awaiting approval are listed.
Note: Only members that have given permission to publish their names are included / listed.April 28th, 2009: updated list here
Keep in mind PIP is the security component for FAST into Canada! Don’t risk your current FAST approvals!
Contact us today! Let us assist you in meeting your security responsibility into Canada!
FOR FOR MORE INFORMATION : Visit the CBSA website or call 519-966-9821
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