February 19, 2008

 

Northern Border FAST Drivers Renew Memberships at a Brisk Pace

      

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in cooperation with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has begun processing the first 5-year renewals for the U.S./Canada FAST Commercial Driver program. As of Feb. 4, 2008, CBP and CBSA had jointly processed 716 renewal requests. In short, 13 percent of the 5,800 FAST driver accounts set to expire before Oct. 1, 2008 have been processed for renewal in a little over a month. 

 

In support of this promising start to the renewal process, CBP offers the following guidelines for U.S./Canada FAST Commercial Driver renewals to minimize any disruption to cross border commerce. These guidelines are for northern border (U.S./Canada) FAST drivers ONLY. The Southern border (U.S./Mexico) FAST renewal process will be announced in the future. 

 

FAST drivers may file an application for renewal up to 90 days in advance of the printed expiration date on their card.

 

The renewal process for FAST memberships is similar to that for enrolling as a new member – i.e. paper application with fees ($50 Canadian or U.S.) to be mailed to:

 

FAST Commercial Driver Program

4551 Zimmerman Avenue

P.O. Box 66

Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6T1 Canada

 

CBSA transmits an electronic renewal request to CBP upon receipt of the paper application and fee, and this message must be received by CBP on or before the expiration date printed on the renewing member’s card or CBP will revoke the membership. Drivers who fail to renew their FAST membership in a timely fashion run the risk of having their membership expire. 

 

For additional details on the renewal process and questions on re-credentialing if your membership has lapsed, please visit the FAST section of www.cbp.gov by clicking "Travel" and "Trusted Traveler Programs." FAST membership cards are also acceptable proof of citizenship and identity now required for U.S. and Canadian citizens crossing the border at land and sea ports of entry. It is also acceptable travel documentation under full implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, expected to go into effect no sooner than June 2009.