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Partners in Protection (PIP) is a cooperative effort between private industry and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in an effort to enhance Canadian border security, combat organized crime and terrorism, increase awareness of customs compliance issues, and help detect and prevent contraband smuggling. The program is very similar to its American counterpart, Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).
Scope
Partners in Protection is available to the entire trade community:
- Importers,
- Carriers,
- Brokers,
- Warehouse operators, and
- Associations.
Regulatory citations
- None
Key definitions
- None
Summary of requirements
Organizations wishing to participate will be asked to sign a partnership agreement with the CBSA. The arrangement is based on goodwill. CBSA cautions those who apply for participation that they should not (and will not be asked to) act as a law-enforcement body. In addition, CBSA reassures those submitting proprietary information that all information exchanged is treated as confidential. Through a joint effort, organizations and the CBSA will together focus on security, the exchange of information, and awareness.
PIP members will be asked to give CBSA a self-assessment of its security systems. This self-assessment will identify any weaknesses in security processes, allowing organizations and CBSA to address any deficiencies. The vision of CBSA is to enhance participants’ security, thus minimizing the threat of illegal activity.