If your business moves goods across the U.S. land borders with Canada or Mexico, the FAST Program might be a game-changer. Administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in partnership with Canada's border authority, the FAST Program is designed for pre-approved, low-risk commercial shipments and drivers. It offers expedited clearance and smoother crossings - but only if you meet the requirements and enroll correctly.

Here's what the program is, who's eligible, how it works, and what to bear in mind.

Why FAST Matters

Freight and commercial trucking along the Canada-U.S. and Mexico-U.S. land borders face delays, inspections, and variable processing times. FAST helps by:

In short: if you're part of a supply chain moving goods across land borders regularly, FAST gives you faster processing and more predictable logistics.

Who Can Join the FAST Program?

Eligibility is somewhat specialized because the program is built for commercial trade and land border operations. Key criteria include:

  • You must be part of an approved carrier, importer or driver supply-chain network that is certified under the Customs‑Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C‑TPAT) program (or equivalent) because FAST involves trade-chain security standards.
  • Drivers applying must be 18 years of age or older, hold a valid driver's license and meet CBP security, customs and immigration screening criteria.
  • Applicants must have no significant criminal, immigration or customs violations and must demonstrate they pose low security risk.
  • Note: There are separate port-area designations: "FAST North" (Canada-U.S. border) and "FAST South" (Mexico-U.S. border). Approval for North often covers South, but not always the reverse.

Because of these criteria, the FAST Program is not for casual travellers or passenger vehicles. It's specifically for commercial freight operations.

What Are the Benefits?

If you're approved for FAST, you can expect:

  • Access to designated FAST commercial vehicle lanes at participating land border ports of entry. This often means shorter queues and faster processing.
  • Reduced number of inspections for eligible shipments within the supply chain, thanks to the trusted status.
  • Predictability in cross-border freight transit times, which supports logistics planning and cost control.
  • Clearance validity typically for five years, after which renewal is required.

How to Apply for FAST

Here’s a step-by-step overview on how carriers or drivers can enroll:

  1. Carrier & Importer Certification – The company moving goods must be certified under C-TPAT (or equivalent), indicating the supply-chain meets security standards.
  2. Driver Application – The individual driver completes the FAST application (via the TTP portal), provides personal information, employment history, driver’s-license info and any required documentation.
  3. Background Investigation & Interview – CBP conducts security and customs checks. Some interviews or enrollment-center visits may be required.
  4. Approval & FAST Card Issued – Once approved, the driver (or company vehicle) receives a FAST card or credential, valid for a set period (typically five years).
  5. Use of FAST Lane – When transporting eligible goods with an approved carrier/importer relationship, the driver may use FAST lanes at designated ports of entry. The goods and parties must match the approved supply chain.
  6. Renewal – Before expiry, drivers or companies must apply to renew membership to maintain uninterrupted FAST access.

It's critical to maintain compliance: your goods, carrier, and driver must continue meeting conditions. If any link in the supply chain falters, FAST privileges can be lost.

What to Watch Out For

  • Not for passenger vehicles – FAST is for commercial freight, not private vehicles or personal travel.
  • Only eligible goods/shipment flows – The shipments must qualify under FAST rules; non-eligible goods or inconsistent carrier/driver relationships may force you into standard lanes.
  • Border-port limitations – Not all ports have FAST lanes; you must verify which crossings support FAST.
  • Supply-chain compliance is ongoing – Approval isn’t one-and-done. Carriers/importers must keep certification, drivers must maintain clean records, and customs rules must be followed.
  • Interview/processing delays – Like many trusted-traveler programs, conditional approval and final enrollment may take time, especially if back-ups exist.
  • Cost & renewal – Confirm current fees and renewal policies; while earlier references list a $50 fee for five-year membership, always check CBP for the latest.

How This Relates (Indirectly) to Passport & Travel Services

While the FAST Program is not aimed at leisure travelers, it intersects with travel and border-document topics in interesting ways:

  • Companies that move employees across borders or rely on drivers may coordinate with their travel/legal departments to align FAST enrollment and driver documentation.
  • If your business or family has border-crossing logistics (vehicles, shipments, family relocation), understanding trade/transport clearance helps.
  • The concept behind FAST mirrors the "trusted traveler" idea that also powers programs like Global Entry or NEXUS - screening low-risk individuals and shipments in advance to speed up border operations.

If your business requires cross-border trucking or freight-movement, our team can advise you on documentation, enrollment preparation, and ensuring you have proper ID, driver licenses and compliance records.

FAQ about the FAST Program

Q: Can any commercial driver enroll in FAST?
A: Only drivers who are part of a certified carrier/importer supply-chain and who pass the background and customs security checks are eligible. Eligibility is not open to all drivers by default.

Q: Does FAST membership allow me to cross the border in my personal vehicle using FAST lanes?
A: No. FAST specifically covers commercial vehicles carrying qualifying shipments under approved carrier/importer relationships. Personal vehicles do not qualify.

Q: How long is FAST membership valid?
A: Generally five years before renewal is required, assuming all conditions remain met.

Q: What is the application fee for FAST?
A: Historical references list a fee around $50 for five-year membership, but you should check the most current CBP fees before applying.

Q: If I’m approved for FAST North (Canada-US border), can I use FAST at the Mexico-US border?
A: Approval for “FAST North” typically covers north-border benefits. Approval for “FAST South” is separately required to access south-border (Mexico-US) FAST benefits.

Final Thoughts

The FAST Program is a specialized but powerful tool for freight carriers, importers and drivers operating across U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico land borders. If you meet the eligibility criteria and commit to ongoing compliance, it offers significant operational benefits: faster clearance, dedicated lanes and streamlined logistics.

For companies or individuals involved in cross-border transport, understanding FAST is essential in today's global supply-chain environment. At the same time, while it may not apply directly to vacation travelers or typical passport services, the principles behind FAST underscore the broader trend toward "trusted traveler" and trusted-shipment programs worldwide.

If your business has cross-border operations or you’re managing drivers, freight or vehicles that move across land borders, we can help ensure all your documentation and enrollment steps are aligned for success. Contact us for a consultation today.