CTA has received confirmation from USCBP that the agency has agreed to expand the in-transit pilot initiative for another year to November 28, 2017. The plan also includes expanding the list of participating ports of entry as well as the number of qualifying carriers who would have the ability to enter the pilot at some point next year.
One of CTA’s key achievements has been working with USCBP to restore Canadian carriers’ ability to make in-transit shipments through the United States. This was one of the very few concrete developments to arise of out the Beyond the Borders process.
CTA recently engaged in discussions with USCBP in Washington, DC regarding the potential for expansion of the pilot. These efforts were answered in a letter from the Executive Assistant Commissioner, who confirmed that CBP would move forward with the program expansion.
Based on recommendations from CTA and current pilot program members, USCBP will be adding three additional ports of entry to the program: Portal, ND/North Portal, SK; Sweetgrass, MT/Coutts, AB; and Sault Ste. Marie, MI/ON.
A timeline to establish when these additional ports will be ready for use in the program still awaits confirmation by USCBP officials. Meanwhile, CTA will be working with CBP throughout 2017 to determine the expanded number of the carriers which will be able to participate in the in-transit process. It is expected an announcement could be made in the fall of 2017.
CTA will be hosting a webinar early in 2017 to educate the carrier community regarding what is required to move product in-transit so interested carriers can prepare in advance of the expansion opportunity.
CTA will continue to update program participants as further details are released. Members with additional questions regarding the in-transit program can contact CTA’s Lak Shoan at lak.shoan@cantruck.ca