Application for Expedited Border-Crossing Program for truckers now online


WASHINGTON – U.S. Customs and Border Protection reminds applicants for the Free and Secure Trade program that applications are now accepted online through the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) accessible at CBP.gov. The FAST program is available to drivers crossing the southern border between the U.S. and Mexico.

Applying to the FAST program online increases the speed at which CBP approves applications and it is part of a phased integration of the FAST Driver process into the online system GOES. This improvement in the FAST application process places the program on par with other CBP trusted traveler programs like SENTRI, NEXUS and Global Entry scheduled to begin next month. By the late summer of 2008, U.S./Canada FAST will also offer a GOES option.

The availability of applying to FAST in GOES will soon afford commercial truck drivers the ability to update critical components of their FAST account data online, assuring uninterrupted passage without the need to visit a FAST enrollment center.

The change went into effect April 15 and was originally announced on February 15.

Additionally, CBP reminds future applicants that:

No paper applications will be accepted for the U.S./Mexico FAST driver program.
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When the U.S./Canada FAST driver program offers a GOES application (now projected for August 200, that program will retain a paper application option.

Unlike SENTRI applicants, U.S./Mexico FAST applicants will not be able to schedule interview sessions with the GOES online scheduler until approximately August 2008.

As in the past, U.S./Mexico FAST applicants will not receive conditional approval letters. Enrollment Centers will continue the practice of contacting conditionally approved FAST Drivers by phone to inform them of their status and schedule an interview.

Existing FAST drivers, whether enrolled in the U.S./Mexico or U.S./Canada program, will not be able to modify their account information, such as mailing address, using GOES until approximately August 2008. Until then, all updates to account information required by the program must still be made in person.

For further information, log onto CBP.gov and search “FAST.â€