PIP (Partners In Protection) Information

This article is part of the Customs Compliance Guide

The Partners in Protection (PIP) logo

Partners in Protection (PIP) is a voluntary Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) trusted trader program with no membership fee. Businesses and the CBSA work together through PIP to improve border and trade chain security. Members are recognized as low-risk trusted traders and must maintain the security standards and program responsibilities required by CBSA.

PIP is part of Canada's Trusted Trader programs and is intended to help pre-approved, low-risk businesses benefit from more streamlined and efficient border processes while supporting supply-chain security. CBSA states that businesses that meet PIP's security measures are certified as members, assigned a designated program representative, and recognized as low-risk trusted traders at the border.

Benefits of PIP membership

CBSA lists the following benefits for PIP members:

• Access to the Trusted Trader portal to keep membership documents up to date.
• A dedicated email inbox and an assigned CBSA contact.
• Access to designated lower-wait-time Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lanes when the shipment is eligible.
• Lower examination rates at the border.
• Trusted Trader status in Canada and abroad under CBSA mutual recognition arrangements.

PIP also aligns with the World Customs Organization SAFE Framework and Authorized Economic Operator program guidelines. CBSA states that PIP membership can provide expedited border clearances through designated FAST lanes, lower examination rates, and Trusted Trader status in Canada and other countries under CBSA mutual recognition arrangements.

Mutual Recognition Arrangements

Under a mutual recognition arrangement, CBSA and another customs administration recognize that their trusted trader programs are compatible. CBSA says this can allow a PIP member to be recognized as a low-risk trader in the other country, which may support faster border clearance and greater market access.

As of CBSA's current program-offers page, CBSA lists mutual recognition arrangements with the following customs administrations:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT)
• Japan Customs and Tariff Bureau: Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)
• Korea Customs Service: Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)
• Singapore Customs: Secure Trade Partnership (STP)
• Tax Administration Service of the United Mexican States: Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)
• Israel Tax Authority: Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)
• Australian Border Force: Australian Trusted Trader
• Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department: Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)
• New Zealand Customs Service: Secure Exports Scheme (SES)
• Peru National Superintendency of Customs and Tax Administration: Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)
• European Union Taxation and Customs Union: Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)
• United Kingdom HM Revenue and Customs: Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)
• Taiwan Customs Administration: Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)

Members can select which mutual recognition arrangement partners they wish to receive benefits from.

PIP eligibility

Eligibility depends on where the business is based and the business activity. Businesses based in Canada can own or operate facilities in Canada or the United States, while businesses based in the United States can own or operate facilities in either country but have more limited eligible business lines.

For businesses based in Canada, PIP membership is available to:

• Commercial carriers operating in highway, rail, marine, or air modes, including couriers.
• Importers.
• Exporters.
• Warehouse operators, including marine terminal operators.
• Freight forwarders.
• Shipping agents.
• Customs brokers.

For businesses based in the United States, PIP membership is available to:

• Carriers in all modes of transport, if they hold a valid Canadian carrier code.
• Importers that conduct business in Canada, hold a valid Canadian business number, and file Canadian customs declarations.

All applicants must meet CBSA's general requirements, including owning or operating facilities in Canada or the United States involved in the cross-border movement of commercial goods, having qualifying cross-border trade history, being solvent, having no unresolved debts to the Crown or undischarged bankruptcy, having no disqualifying convictions, having no history of significant customs contraventions, and complying with the minimum security requirements in the PIP security profile.

Applying to PIP

Applications are submitted through the Trusted Trader portal. CBSA says the portal is used to apply for PIP membership and manage business information after becoming a member.

CBSA's current application process includes:

1. Sign in to the Trusted Trader portal using a GCKey or Sign-in Partner credential.
2. Complete the company profile, user management, application profile, and security profile sections.
3. Provide the required documentation.
4. Submit the application.
5. Complete the Certification and Authorization to Disclose Information (CADI).
6. Complete CBSA review, risk assessment, and site validation if required.

CBSA explains that the security profile asks the applicant to outline physical, infrastructural, and procedural security measures and to show how the company meets PIP's minimum security requirements. If the company passes site validation, CBSA approves PIP membership and activates the member's benefits.

Maintaining membership

PIP membership is not only an application status; members must continue to meet program requirements after approval. CBSA Memorandum D23-1-1 outlines the policies, eligibility rules, and membership conditions for the PIP program.

Members should keep their Trusted Trader portal information current, maintain the security measures described in their PIP security profile, and cooperate with CBSA if program information, site validation, or compliance updates are required. CBSA also provides a dedicated email inbox and assigned CBSA contact as part of the member support available through the program.

Related Trusted Trader Programs

Program	Description
FAST Free and Secure Trade	A joint CBSA/CBP initiative for eligible low-risk shipments. CBSA states that PIP members may receive access to designated lower-wait-time FAST lanes when a shipment is eligible.
CSA Customs Self Assessment	A CBSA program for approved low-risk importers, carriers, and registered drivers that supports streamlined accounting and reporting processes for eligible goods.
CTPAT Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism	The U.S. trusted trader supply-chain security program led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. CBSA lists U.S. Customs and Border Protection's CTPAT program as one of PIP's mutual recognition arrangement partners.

See also

• FAST
• Customs Self Assessment (CSA) Program
• CTPAT
• Customs Compliance Guide