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FAST (Free and Secure Trade) Information

Last updated 20 July 2026

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This article is part of the Customs Compliance Guide
The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) logo

The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program is a joint commercial clearance program between the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for known low-risk shipments, carriers, importers, and drivers moving between Canada and the United States. CBP describes FAST as a commercial clearance program for known low-risk shipments entering the United States from Canada and Mexico, while CBSA describes FAST as a Canada-U.S. initiative that gives trusted traders expedited movement through dedicated lanes and booths where available.[1][2]

FAST is voluntary and is built around the idea that lower-risk trade chain partners can receive faster processing when the driver, carrier, importer, and shipment meet program requirements. In highway freight, FAST is most relevant to Canada-U.S. carriers using ACE Manifest, ACI eManifest, CSA clearance, CTPAT, PIP, and trusted-trader processes.

How FAST Works

FAST relies on pre-approval and risk assessment. CBSA states that all FAST participants, including drivers, carriers, and importers, must undergo a risk assessment, allowing border agencies to focus resources on travellers and shipments of high or unknown risk.[2]

For a shipment to receive FAST benefits, the applicable driver, carrier, importer, and shipment must meet the requirements for the country of entry. FAST does not automatically apply just because a driver has a FAST card; the carrier, importer, goods, port, and shipment process must also qualify.

FAST Into Canada

To use FAST lanes into Canada, CBSA states that carriers and importers must be authorized under Partners in Protection (PIP), or under both Customs Self Assessment (CSA) and PIP, and the driver must have a valid FAST card or Commercial Driver Registration Program (CDRP) card.[2]

CBSA has also expanded FAST lane eligibility at certain highway ports to PIP-only highway carriers and importers. Customs Notice 19-23 states that FAST eligibility or ineligibility notices may be generated pre-arrival for participating highway ports, and identifies FLE and FLI notices as the eligibility and ineligibility notices sent to carriers.[3]

For CSA clearance into Canada, CBSA states that CSA-approved importers and carriers must use a registered driver, and that commercial drivers can be approved under either CDRP or FAST.[4]

FAST Into the United States

For U.S.-bound commercial traffic, CBP states that FAST allows expedited processing for commercial carriers who have completed background checks and meet eligibility requirements.[1] CBP also states that participation in FAST requires every link in the supply chain, from manufacturer to carrier to driver to importer, to be certified under the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program.[1]

FAST vehicle lanes process commercial cargo at land border ports of entry where FAST lanes are available. CBP states that many dedicated FAST lanes are located at northern border ports in Michigan, New York, and Washington, and at southern border ports from California to Texas.[1]

Driver Eligibility

FAST driver enrollment is handled through the CBP Trusted Traveler Programs system. The official Trusted Traveler Programs page describes FAST as streamlined border crossing for commercial truck drivers and lists the benefit as expedited customs processing for commercial carriers and the ability to use designated FAST lanes into the United States.[5]

CBSA states that each FAST driver applicant must submit an online application through the Trusted Traveler Programs system, pay the application fee, undergo risk assessment by both CBP and CBSA, and complete an interview at an enrollment centre.[6] The Trusted Traveler Programs page lists the FAST fee as US$50 for five years and states that applicants must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver's license.[5]

Only drivers submit a FAST application and fee. CBSA states there is no FAST application form for carriers or importers, and Canadian carriers and importers are automatically approved for FAST once they become approved members of the required CSA and PIP programs.[6]

FAST Cards

A FAST card identifies a driver who has been approved under the FAST Commercial Driver Program. CBSA states that CDRP cards are valid only for entry into Canada, while FAST driver cards are recognized on both sides of the border.[2]

A FAST card may help the driver qualify for dedicated FAST lane use when the rest of the shipment, carrier, and importer requirements are met. It does not replace the need for a valid ACE Manifest, ACI eManifest, broker release, CSA clearance, or other customs reporting requirement.

FAST in BorderConnect

In BorderConnect, FAST information is most commonly used in driver records and ACE/ACI eManifest workflows. A user's driver profile may include the driver's FAST card number so it can be reused when creating manifests, reducing repetitive entry and helping dispatchers apply the correct driver information to a trip.

For ACE Manifest, the driver's FAST ID can be used as part of the driver's travel document and trusted-traveler information when creating the U.S.-bound manifest. For ACI eManifest, FAST may be relevant when a carrier is using CSA or other trusted-trader processes into Canada.

BorderConnect can also help carriers track FAST-related or trusted-trader status responses where those messages are returned through customs systems. For example, CBSA's FAST lane eligibility enhancement introduced pre-arrival FLE and FLI notices that advise carriers whether a shipment is eligible or ineligible to use the FAST lane at participating ports.[3]

Entering a FAST card number in BorderConnect does not by itself make a shipment FAST-eligible. The driver, carrier, importer, goods, port, and customs process must all meet the applicable FAST, CSA, PIP, CTPAT, ACE, or ACI requirements.

NCAP-FAST Lead Sheets

NCAP-FAST lead sheets used for trusted-trader shipments entering the United States.

NCAP-FAST lead sheets are barcoded lead sheets used for certain FAST or trusted-trader commercial shipments entering the United States. They give the officer a clean, scannable document connected to trusted-trader processing and help identify the shipment at the U.S. border.[7]

NCAP-FAST lead sheets are typically used by FAST-approved or trusted-trader carriers for U.S.-bound freight where the shipper, carrier, importer, driver, and shipment qualify for the appropriate FAST or NCAP release process. They should not be used as a substitute for ACE Manifest, broker entry, PAPS, or other required CBP reporting when those processes apply.

BorderPrint offers NCAP-FAST lead sheets in both physical printed form and digital PDF format. BorderPrint describes its NCAP-FAST sheets as unique, high-quality sheets available in professional print and digital PDF, and its digital download product includes a unique sequence of barcoded sheets with the company name.[7][8]

To order NCAP-FAST lead sheets, go to BorderPrint's NCAP-FAST Lead Sheets collection, choose either the printed or digital option, select the sheet quantity, and complete the order with the carrier's required company information. Digital sheets are delivered as a PDF for printing, while physical sheets are professionally printed and shipped.

Canada-U.S. Differences

FAST works differently depending on whether the truck is entering Canada or the United States. The driver's FAST card is only one part of the process.

Topic Entering Canada Entering United States
Border agency CBSA CBP
Trusted-trader programs PIP, CSA, FAST, and CDRP may be involved. CTPAT and FAST may be involved.
Driver credential FAST card or CDRP card may be used for qualifying Canada-bound processes.[2] FAST card is used for FAST driver participation.[1]
Carrier/importer requirements Carrier and importer must meet CBSA trusted-trader requirements for FAST lane or CSA clearance eligibility.[2] CBP states every link in the supply chain must be CTPAT-certified for FAST participation.[1]
Manifest system ACI eManifest and, where applicable, CSA/FAST-related reporting. ACE Manifest and FAST/CTPAT-related processing.

Eligible Goods

FAST benefits do not apply to every shipment. For Canada-bound CSA/FAST processes, CBSA guidance states that CSA clearance applies to eligible goods imported by a CSA-approved importer and transported by a CSA-approved carrier using a registered driver.[4]

CBSA's trusted-trader guidance also distinguishes FAST lane eligibility from CSA clearance eligibility. A carrier may need to review whether the shipment, importer, carrier, driver, and port qualify before directing a driver to a FAST lane.

If goods are prohibited, controlled, regulated, subject to special release requirements, or otherwise not eligible for FAST or CSA handling, the shipment should be processed using the proper standard release and manifest procedure.

Program Country Purpose
CTPAT United States CBP's Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism is the U.S. supply-chain security program connected to FAST eligibility into the United States.[1]
PIP Canada Partners in Protection is CBSA's supply-chain security program used in Canadian trusted-trader and FAST lane eligibility.
CSA Canada Customs Self Assessment is a CBSA program for approved low-risk importers and carriers using simplified accounting and clearance processes.
CDRP Canada Commercial Driver Registration Program is a Canadian driver registration option used for certain Canada-bound trusted-trader processes.

Best Practices

  • Confirm that the driver has a valid FAST card before assigning the driver to a FAST or CSA movement.
  • Save the driver's FAST card number in the BorderConnect driver profile when appropriate.
  • Confirm that the carrier and importer meet the required trusted-trader program requirements.
  • Confirm the shipment is eligible before sending the driver to a FAST lane.
  • Check whether the intended port has an available FAST lane or FAST booth.
  • Do not assume a shipment is FAST-eligible just because the driver has a FAST card.
  • Keep ACE, ACI, broker release, CSA, and related customs filings accurate and on file before the driver reaches the border.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 CBP: FAST - Free and Secure Trade for Commercial Vehicles
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 CBSA: About the FAST Program
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 CBSA Customs Notice 19-23: FAST Notices for Trusted Trader Members
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 CBSA: Customs Self-Assessment Program - Drivers
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Trusted Traveler Programs: FAST Commercial Truck Drivers
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 CBSA: FAST drivers - how to apply
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 BorderPrint: Order NCAP FAST Lead Sheets
  8. ↑ BorderPrint: NCAP/FAST Lead Sheets Digital Download
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