Highway Border Crossings Summer Outlook

At a recent Regional Conference of the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers in Stratford, ON, the acting Director of Ambassador Bridge District Operations Tamara Allard said, that the commercial highway shipments are up and at the same time the passenger traffic appears to be slower than usual for this time of the year.

A Summer Action plan for all CBSA highway crossings in the Niagara Region is already implemented for both passenger and commercial traffic. As always priority is given to commercial shipments, and making sure that the commercial traffic is not affected by the increase in passengers during the summer months. CBSA are expecting lower shipment volumes in July due to many manufacturing facilities being closed. This will allow for smooth customs clearance and speedy processing of the heavier passenger traffic in July and August. Due to the noticeable increase in refugees coming from the US, CBSA have developed programs for processing and are prepared to handle a potential increase.

Ms. Allard outlined that CBSA encourages participation in Trusted Traders and Trusted Traveller programs and added that they are planning on expending the Fast lanes on Ambassador Bridge. The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program is a commercial clearance program designed to ensure safety and security while expediting legitimate trade across the Canada-United States (U.S.) border. The FAST membership card for drivers is valid for five years. FAST is highly automated and allows for the expedited release of cargo from compliant importers, reducing congestion at our land borders.

The highway carriers’ eManifest “has calmed down lately” per Ms. Allard. eManifest requires the electronic transmission of manifest information from highway carriers at least one hour prior to the truck's arrival at the first port of entry into Canada.  Information identifying the truck, trailer, shipment(s) and driver can be sent to CBSA through a free web based portal (ACI portal), a direct connection to the CBSA or through a service provider. If the ACI eManifest is submitted prior to the arrival, the border officers could bring that up. CBSA have noticed that many drivers are still reluctant to cross during CBSA system outages. Although penalties will not apply during system outages, many drivers still prefer to wait for the system to go back up.

The CBSA are closely monitoring changes in traveller patterns and commercial volumes while facilitating the legitimate flow of goods and people into Canada.

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