Reminder: FAST Cards Meet WHTI Requirements, CBP in Process of Issuing Enhanced Cards
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a news release reminding members of the Free and Secure Trade program that all FAST cards are compliant with the new document requirements under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative that went into effect on June 1, 2009.
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CBP is in the process of issuing enhanced FAST cards to members and CBP sources state that during this transition period from the old FAST cards to the new FAST cards, both cards will be accepted for crossing and electronic truck manifest purposes.
Note that CBP recently announced that it would be practical and flexible in implementing WHTI, using the same informed compliance approach that proved successful during other major changes at U.S. borders over the last two years.
CBP Issuing New FAST Cards with Enhanced Security Features
CBP states that it has been issuing new cards for current FAST members since March 16, 2009 that have enhanced security features that allow U.S. and Canadian citizen cardholders to comply with the documentary requirements under WHTI.
All FAST members must activate their cards within 30 days of issuance by going to the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES - hyperlinked) application. CBP will notify FAST members when their old cards will be deactivated. FAST members are requested to destroy their old cards after activating their new ones and to verify and update their contact information online via GOES.
FAST Members Without New Cards Should Call Enrollment Center
FAST members who have not yet received their new cards should call the enrollment center where they joined the FAST program to schedule a time to pick up their new card in the next 30 days.
FAST Cards Can be Used for Submitting ACE e-Manifests
FAST cards are one of the approved documents for the submission of ACE e-Manifests. (As of June 1, 2009, e-Manifests submitted via ACE without approved WHTI documents for truck drivers were to be rejected. However, CBP sources stated that the WHTI informed compliance period that was recently announced would be applied to ACE e-Manifests as well.)
(FAST cards can be used by travelers in commercial lanes or in regular passenger lanes at U.S. land ports of entry. The FAST program is available to commercial drivers crossing both the northern and southern borders. Currently, the program has more than 91,000 members.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 06/02/09 news, 09060205, for BP summary announcing that CBP would not yet reject ACE e-Manifests submitted without WHTI document numbers.
See ITT's Online Archives or 06/01/09 news, 09060110, for BP summary announcing CBP would apply an informed compliance approach to implement WHTI.)
CBP news release (dated 06/11/09) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/06112009_9.xml