HOW TO BREEZE THROUGH BORDER CROSSINGS ...TRUSTED TRAVELER PROGRAMS - PART 2

​Last week I delved into TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR programs in detail.  This week I wanted to talk about NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST programs.  
 

NEXUS: 
NEXUS is designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, approved travelers into Canada and the United States. By paying one fee, NEXUS members have crossing privileges at air, land, and marine ports of entry that support the program.
 
NEXUS Benefits:
If you are approved to participate in NEXUS, you will receive a radio frequency identification card to use when entering the United States and Canada at designated NEXUS air, land and marine ports of entry.
 
Membership in the NEXUS program allows you to reduce your wait times at designated ports of entry by:

• Using dedicated processing lanes at land border crossings,
• Using NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada,
• Using Global Entry kioks when entering the United States, and
• Calling a marine telephone reporting center to report your arrival into the United States and Canada

 
HOW TO APPLY FOR NEXUS: 
U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian lawful permanent residents and Mexican nationals who are members of Mexico’s trusted traveller program, Viajero Confiable are eligible to apply for membership in the U.S./Canada NEXUS program.
If you are under the age of 18, you must have your parent or legal guardian’s consent to participate in the program.
To apply for membership in the NEXUS program:

• Use the Trusted Travelers Programs (TTP) website;
• Submit an application and go through a registration process;
• Satisfy the eligibility criteria;
• Be admissible in Canada and the United States; and
• Pass risk assessments by both countries.

 
The application-processing fee of US $50 per adult applicant is non-refundable. Children under the age of 18 must also apply and, if eligible, are admitted to the program free of charge.  Once approved, membership is valid for five years. For more information regarding the program requirements, please visit the NEXUS Program page.
 
Once the risk assessment by the United States and Canada is complete, you will receive an email on the dashboard of your TTP account.  When this notification is received, you will be “conditionally approved” and eligible to schedule an interview at a NEXUS enrollment center to complete the application process. Once approved, you must have your iris captured in order to use the NEXUS kiosks to enter Canada,. To have your iris captured, travel to the Canadian airports in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, or select land enrollment centers. Please visit http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/location-eng.html for additional information.
 
HOW TO USE NEXUS: 
Program members use dedicated processing lanes at designated northern border ports of entry, NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada by air and Global Entry kiosks when entering the United States via Canadian Preclearance airports. NEXUS members also receive expedited processing at marine reporting locations.
 
NEXUS Cards:
If you are approved to participate in NEXUS, you will receive a membership identification card to use when entering Canada or the United States at all designated NEXUS air, land and marine ports of entry.
There is a non-refundable $25 (USD) fee to replace a NEXUS card that is damaged, lost or stolen.

Activating Your NEXUS Card
To activate your card, log into your GOES account.  After you sign in, click on the “Activate Membership Card” button under the Program Membership(s) section on the Homepage.

Using Your NEXUS Card
 
Land Borders
Entering Canada

• Use the designated NEXUS lane. Stop and hold your membership card in front of the proximity card reader.
• Proceed to the inspection booth for a visual inspection. The border officer will indicate whether you are to enter the inspection area or proceed into Canada. 
• Entering the United States
• Use the designated NEXUS lane.  Stop and hold your membership card in front of the card reader.
• Proceed to the inspection booth for a visual inspection. Unless you are directed to an inspection area, you may proceed into the United States.

 
Airports
Entering Canada
NEXUS members using the air mode of transportation can enter Canada using the self-serve kiosks regardless of where they are coming from. For example, a NEXUS member returning to Canada from overseas and arriving in Montréal can use the self-serve kiosk in Montréal.
Follow these instructions when using NEXUS Kiosk:

• Please have your NEXUS card ready;
• Select language of choice before inserting your NEXUS card into the document reader;
• When prompted, insert your NEXUS card into the document reader;
• Ensure the card is face up (picture side) and fully inserted into the reader;
• Leave the card in the reader until instructed to remove it;
• You will receive audio instructions advising you to look into the mirror;
• You will use the arrows located on the mirrors to adjust to ensure that you see both eyes;
• Look into the mirror, moving slightly forward or backward until you see the circle centered between your eyes change from orange to green; and
• Follow the instructions on the screen and answer the questions on the monitor.

 
Entering the United States
All NEXUS members can enjoy the benefits of Global Entry at no additional cost through using the Global Entry kiosks for entry at participating airports.
When using the Global Entry kiosks in Canada Preclearance locations you can use your passport, U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident card or NEXUS card. You cannot use your NEXUS card at Global Entry kiosks outside of Canadian Preclearance locations. At all other ports, you will need to use your passport or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident card. 
If you are traveling with persons into Canada or the United States that are not NEXUS members, you must use the regular lanes.
 
SENTRI:
The Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival at the at the United States and Mexico border. Participants may enter the United States by using dedicated primary lanes into the United States at Mexico land border ports.
Travelers must be pre-approved for the SENTRI program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment
SENTRI Benefits:
Membership in the SENTRI program allows you to reduce your wait times at designated ports of entry by:

• Using dedicated processing lanes at US-Mexico border crossings,
• Using NEXUS lane when entering the United States from Canada by land, and
• Using Global Entry kiosks when entering the United States by air.*

 
*Note: If you are a Mexican national in SENTRI, you must apply for Global Entry through your Trusted Traveler Programs account.
 
 HOW TO APPLY FOR SENTRI:
Before you apply, make sure you are eligible for SENTRI.
 
It’s easy. Just follow these steps:

• Create a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) System account. Regardless of your age, you must have your own TTP account.
• Log in to your TTP account and complete the application. A non-refundable fee is required with each completed application.
• After accepting your completed application and fee, CBP will review your application. If your application is conditionally approved, then your TTP account will instruct you to schedule an interview at a SENTRI Enrollment Center. Each applicant must schedule a separate interview.
• You will need to bring your valid passport(s) and one other form of identification, such as a driver’s license or ID card to the interview. If you are a lawful permanent resident, you must present your permanent resident card. Also, required are vehicle registration and evidence of United States automobile insurance by a company authorized to write automobile insurance in the United States.

 
SENTRI Enrollment Centers:

• Arizona
• California
• Texas

 
HOW TO USE SENTRI:
If approved for SENTRI, you will be issued a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) card that will identify you as being a SENTRI member.

Activating Your SENTRI Card
To activate your card, log into your Global Online Enrollment System account.  After you log in, click on the “Activate Membership Card” button under the Program Membership(s) section.

​Using Your SENTRI Card
When you approach the border in the SENTRI lane, the system automatically identifies your vehicle and the identity of the occupants in the vehicle. This is accomplished through the following steps:
1.     RFID card file number is read upon your arrival.
2.     File number triggers your data which is brought up on the CBP Officer's screen.
3.     Data is verified by the CBP officer and you are either released or referred for additional inspection(s).
 
FAST:
The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program is a commercial clearance program for known low-risk shipments entering the United States from Canada and Mexico. Initiated after 9/11, this innovative trusted traveler/trusted shipper program allows expedited processing for commercial carriers who have completed background checks and fulfill certain eligibility requirements.
FAST enrollment is open to truck drivers from the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FAST vehicle lanes process cargo at land border ports of entry that serve commercial cargo. The majority of dedicated FAST lanes are located in northern border ports in Michigan, New York and Washington and at southern border ports from California to Texas. Participation in FAST requires that every link in the supply chain, from manufacturer to carrier to driver to importer, is certified under the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT)program.
CBP routinely conducts on-site visits to domestic and foreign CTPAT member facilities to evaluate and validate their supply-chain security measures. More than 10,000 companies world-wide are certified CTPAT members.
 
HOW TO APPLY FOR FAST:
Applications for FAST can be completed and submitted to the Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) website. The cost to apply for FAST membership is $50 (USD or CAD).
 
C-TPAT Application Qualifications for U.S./Canada Highway Carriers

• Be an active international border crossing U.S./Canada Highway Carrier.
• Have a business office staffed in the U.S. or Canada.
• Have an active U.S. National Motor Freight Traffic Association issued Standard Carrier Alpha Code in the following format:
  #### SCAC Code (4 Alpha Characters)
• Have a designated company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for C-TPAT.
• Commit to implementing and maintaining C-TPAT Highway Carrier supply chain security criteria.
• Submit your C-TPAT application and required supply chain security profile information via the C-TPAT Online Application Web Portal submission process. Paper Applications for C-TPAT are no longer accepted and will not be processed. 

 
C-TPAT Application Qualifications for U.S./Mexico Highway Carriers

• Be an active U.S./Mexico Highway Carrier that transports goods that are being imported into the United States.
• Have a business office staffed in the U.S. or Mexico.
• Have an active U.S. National Motor Freight Traffic Association issued Standard Carrier Alpha Code in the following format:
  #### SCAC Code (4 Alpha Characters)
• Have a designated company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for C-TPAT.
• Commit to implementing and maintaining C-TPAT Highway Carrier supply chain security criteria.
• Submit your C-TPAT application and required supply chain security profile information via the C-TPAT Online Application Web Portal submission process. Paper Applications for C-TPAT are no longer accepted and will not be processed. 

 
There are many travel programs that will fit your individual needs.  I hope you found this information helpful in choosing the right one for you.  If you still have questions, please feel free to reach out to me.