News Release

National 2004

FAST dedicated lane opens at Champlain, NY

April 19, 2004, Champlain, New York... U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) today announced that a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) dedicated lane opened southbound, at the Champlain, New York / Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Québec border crossing on April 18, 2004. FAST traffic entering Canada will continue to use the existing lane. The FAST program is a bilateral initiative between the United States and Canada designed to ensure security and safety of Americans and Canadians, while enhancing the economic prosperity of both countries.

"FAST is one of our 'smart border' initiatives. It improves security, yet moves goods faster and more efficiently across the border," said CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner. "Our FAST partners secure their supply chains so that their shipments are no risk for terrorism. They are rewarded with expedited processing for their shipments, and use of a FAST designated lane."

"The FAST program is an excellent example of how the government and private sector are working together to protect the security of Canada's economy," said Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Responsible for Public Security and Emergency Preparedness.

In developing the FAST program, United States and Canada have harmonized, to the maximum extent possible, their commercial processes for clearance of commercial shipments at the border. This promotes free and secure trade by using common risk-management principles, supply chain security, industry partnership, and advanced technology to improve the efficiency of screening and clearing commercial traffic at the U.S./Canada border.

Approximately 1,300 trucks cross into Champlain daily from Canada. The hours for the Champlain designated FAST lane will coincide with the heavy traffic patterns.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the protection of our nation's borders. CBP unified Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture Inspectors and the Border Patrol into one border agency for the United States.

The Canada Border Services Agency was established in December 2003, to maximize the efficiency of Canada's front-line border agencies.

For more information please visit the following web sites:  www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/fast/us_canada/ (United States)
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca (Canada)

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For media information

Janet Rapaport
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(212) 514-8312 or
(212) 514-8324