Canada Immigration, Canada Customs and U.S. Customs have teamed up for panel sessions at the upcoming Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville to provide truckers information on border crossing.

“This is about helping truckers handle border crossings faster,” says Anne Cascadden, International Trade Officer with the Canadian Consulate in Detroit.

Two seminars will provide an update on the Free And Secure Trade program along with information about driver waivers/Minister’s Permits for entering Canada. The seminars are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, March 25, and 11 a.m. Friday, March 26. Both seminars will be held in Room 101.

Cascadden says the program, called “FAST,” supports moving pre-approved eligible goods across the Canadian-U.S. border quickly and verifying trade compliance away from the border. It is a harmonized commercial process offered to pre-approved importers, carriers and registered drivers. Through the program, shipments for approved companies, transported by approved carriers using registered drivers, will be cleared into either country with greater speed.  

According to Cascadden, many companies are now seeking FAST registered drivers and refusing to hire those who are not registered. 

Truckers are invited to attend or visit Booth No. 8623-1 to learn more about the program and register on site. For further information about theFAST program, visit the following Web site: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/fast/.