CBSA-Ambassador Bridge announce new line release policy
WINDSOR, Ont. — As of this coming April, all commercial importations entering Canada at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont. will be required to use one of the Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) existing line release clearance options, including CSA/FAST, PARS, FIRST, A49, Post-Audit and In-Bond. CBSA stated in a press release that the joint initiative with the bridge company will enhance security controls and expedite the processing of commercial trucks entering Canada at the Ambassador Bridge. According to the agency, the new Security and Service Enhancement Initiative helps ensure an appropriate level of border security and improved control of vehicles reporting to the CBSA commercial offsite facility. The number of vehicles required to report there will be significantly reduced, says CBSA, allowing for enhanced monitoring and convoying of vehicles that are referred to the offsite facility. In coordination with ongoing outreach activities to ensure all affected parties are aware and able to comply with the regulations, the Ambassador Bridge has established an Advanced Border Processing Center in Detroit, Mich., which is intended to assist carriers and importers to prepare for and comply with the new requirements. CBSA will provide a resource person at the center to provide additional assistance and guidance to carriers and importers during the initial phase of implementation. “We are committed to increasing the service at the Ambassador Bridge,” said Dan Stamper, president of the Ambassador Bridge. “Over 90 percent of the trucks entering Windsor today already clear their goods through one of these preferred clearance options." Only the small percentage of commercial importations that are not able to use line release clearance options will be exceptions and will continue to be processed at the offsite facility. These shipments will be strictly monitored between the bridge and offsite.