OTTAWA — The CBSA and UPS Canada have wrapped up a virtual cargo pre-screening proof of concept, held from May to November 2022, providing an opportunity to enhance the way goods are risk-assessed before arriving in Canada.
For the proof of concept, UPS Canada provided the CBSA with advance X-ray images for a select number of shipments coming from Europe. This gave Border Services officers earlier access to supplemental information to aid decision making about shipments before their arrival in Canada.
“UPS Canada is proud to have partnered with the CBSA on this innovative proof of concept,” said Tammy Bilodeau, VP of customs brokerage and compliance, UPS Canada. “As global supply chains become increasingly complex, opportunities to explore new ways to leverage technology to facilitate legitimate trade are crucial. This project is a testament to the value of public and private sector collaboration to identify potential efficiencies in cross-border trade for Canadians.”
Procedural and operational lessons learned from this proof of concept project will be valuable in informing the development of commercial and trade modernization initiatives and improved border processes.
“This proof of concept is an example of the CBSA’s commitment to modernize its business processes by using data and electronic information to facilitate legitimate trade, while protecting the safety and security of Canadians,” said Fred Gaspar, vice-president, commercial and trade branch, CBSA. “This initiative represents the value and importance of strong collaboration with industry.”