Integrated Cargo Security Strategy

As part of the Beyond the Border Action Plan commitments, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Transport Canada (TC) and the United States (U.S.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) jointly developed the Integrated Cargo Security Strategy (ICSS) to facilitate the movement of secure cargo under the principle of "cleared once, accepted twice."

The ICSS is aimed at identifying and resolving security concerns as early as possible in the supply chain, with the expectation that this will allow us to reduce duplicate processes at the Canada–U.S. border. It outlines how Canada and the U.S. will work together offshore and at the perimeter, recognizing the importance of:

• Common advance data requirements;
• Advance timely information for cargo shipments arriving in Canada or the U.S. from offshore;
• Harmonized targeting and risk assessment methodologies; and
• Shared examination results.

As part of the ICSS commitments, Canada and the U.S. finalized the Joint ICSS Marine Pilots’ Assessment in April 2015. Results from the pilots’ assessment indicate that the CBSA and the CBP have been able to successfully share information and jointly mitigate national security risks at the perimeter.

Pilot Projects

Montréal Pilot (Marine/Highway)

Launched on January 7, 2013, the Montréal pilot was designed to facilitate cargo entering the U.S. by truck after arriving at the Port of Montréal in Quebec. Under the pilot, U.S.-bound cargo was subject to targeting before arrival at the marine port of Montréal. This allowed for examinations at the perimeter before the cargo moved by truck to various U.S. land border crossings. In March 2015, the testing phase of the pilot ended.

Prince Rupert Pilot (Marine/Rail)

Launched on October 1, 2012, in collaboration with Canadian National Railway, the Prince Rupert pilot was designed to facilitate cargo entering the U.S. by rail after arriving at the Port of Prince Rupert in British Columbia. This pilot targeted high-risk cargo that was destined for the U.S. before arrival at the marine port of Prince Rupert. This allowed for examinations at the perimeter before the cargo moved by train to the U.S. land border at International Falls, Minnesota. In March 2015, the testing phase of the pilot ended. Based upon the pilot's lessons learned, both countries agreed to implement and enhance the joint mitigation of national security concerns at the perimeter in Prince Rupert.

Tamper Evident Technology Pilot

The Tamper Evident Technology pilot was launched on October 1, 2012, in Prince Rupert and on January 7, 2013, in Montréal. The pilot assessed the integrity of tamper evident technology (i.e., cargo seals) used to ensure that cargo transported from the perimeter to the U.S. land border was secured and not subjected to unauthorized access. Under the pilot, containers examined and released by the CBSA in Prince Rupert and Montréal were secured with high security bolt seals. This ensured that the contents were not subjected to unauthorized access. Along with the Prince Rupert and Montréal pilots, in March 2015, the testing phase of the Tamper Evident Technology pilot ended.

Pre-Load Air Cargo Targeting Pilot

Launched on October 1, 2012, the Pre-Load Air Cargo Targeting (PACT) pilot is a joint initiative between the CBSA and TC. Under the pilot, volunteer air carriers and freight forwarders provide pre-load air cargo information prior to the loading of cargo onto an aircraft at a foreign port. This allows the CBSA and TC to conduct a risk-assessment for indications of threat to national security and aviation security.

Date modified:

2016-06-27