Trusted Trader Portal
Help

The Trusted Trader Portal (TTP) is a secure online tool that allows members of the trade community to complete and submit applications for membership in the Partners in Protection (PIP) program, as well as maintain their membership documentation online. The PIP program only accepts applications and updated Security Profiles through the TTP.

Technical Requirements

To access the TTP, you must have an internet connection and one of the following Web browsers:

You must also ensure that JavaScript is enabled.

Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) Security Upgrade Affecting Portal Users (Effective July 31, 2016)

If your computer is more than five years old, your system likely needs to be upgraded.

The computing industry is in the process of eliminating certain security protocols that are more than 10 years old. To ensure the security and confidentiality of your transactions, the CBSA will be upgrading its security requirements, affecting users of the eManifest Portal and Trusted Trader Portal.

Effective July 31, 2016 encryption rules will change. Encryption using 128-bit Secure Sockets Layer version 3 ("SSLV3") will no longer be sufficient and will be disabled.  Clients' browsers will need to support the Transport Layer Security Protocol version 1.0 ("TLS 1.0").

Portal users with computers that are more than five years old (likely using Windows XP or Windows Vista) are most vulnerable and are encouraged to take a few moments now to ensure their system is secure.

To ensure your browser has "Use TLS 1.0" selected (at a minimum) or "Use TLS 1.2" (recommended), please check the following:

Firefox
  • If you are using version 34 or higher of Firefox, SSLV3 is disabled by default. No further action is required.
  • If you are using version 33 or lower of Firefox, please upgrade to version 34 or higher.

Internet Explorer

To check and to configure Internet Explorer (version 7 or higher):

  • Open Internet Explorer
  • Select "Tools" then "Internet Options"
  • Select the "Advanced" tab
  • In the "Settings" section, scroll down to the "Security" section until you locate settings that include the letters "SSL" and "TLS".
  • Please ensure that "Use TLS 1.0" is checked. If it is not, click on the box to the left of "Use TLS 1.0".
  • Recommended: If the option "Use TLS 1.2" is listed but not checked, you may take this opportunity to check this box as well.
  • Select "Apply" and "OK".

internet explorer instructions

Current PIP Members

If you are currently a PIP member, the CBSA will contact you via registered mail with instructions for account activation and setup.

You are responsible for providing updates through the TTP regarding any changes to your information as they occur.

Before you set up your TTP account

Accessing and activating your TTP account is a multi-step process for both new applicants and existing members.

You will need three pieces of information:

  1. Credential – This allows the Government of Canada to authenticate your identity. Credentials provide you with safe and secure access to information and services. All individuals, even if they are from the same company, will require their own credential to access the TTP. There are two types of credentials:
    • GCKey – This is a unique username and password of your choosing that protects your online communications with the Government of Canada. This is the recommended credential for the TTP.  
      • After you register for a GCKey and access the TTP for the first time, you will set up a user account. You should not share your GCKey username and password.
      • After setting up your user account, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with a User Reference Number (URN).
      • If you have questions about how to register for a GCKey, view steps 2a through 2d in this Service Canada tutorial.
    • Sign-In Partner – This is a unique credential that is offered in collaboration with participating financial institutions. To access the Portal using Sign-In Partner, you must already possess a credential with one of the participating financial institutions. On the Trusted Trader Log In page, select Sign-In Partner Log in. This link will guide you in entering the Portal with your existing online financial institution credentials and in creating your Portal User Account. When you select the Sign-In Partner Log in, you will also have access to additional information about Sign-In Partner's eligibility and advantages.
  2. Activation Code – This is a unique code that is required to activate your TTP account. Current members will receive a code in the mail with instructions for activating their account. New applicants will receive an Activation Code in the mail (along with a Client Number) after they have registered. If your activation code expires, you may request a new Activation Code using the Request New Code button.
  3. Client Number – This is your identifier within the PIP program. If you are already a PIP member and do not know your Client Number, send an e-mail to pip-pep@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. New members will receive a Client Number in the mail (along with an Activation Code) after registration.

Setting up your TTP Account

The first time you log in to the TTP you must set up your user account. If you access the system using GCKey, the first step is to create a user account. If you log in with a Sign-in Partner, you may choose to transfer an existing user account that is associated with that credential.

After setting up your user account you will be provided with a User Reference Number (URN), which you may print for your records.

After this, you will arrive at the Trusted Trader registration and activation page, where you will have three options:

Registering in the TTP (New Applicants)

Select Register if you are applying to the program and do not have a Client Number or Activation Code. Follow the instructions to verify your company's eligibility for membership and confirm your mailing address. Once completed, your Client Number and Activation Code will be sent via registered mail. You should receive your activation code within 10 business days. If you do not receive your registration letter within that time, contact the PIP program at pip-pep@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.

Request New Activation Code

If you know your Client Number but do not have an Activation Code, or if the Activation Code has expired, click on Request New Code. Follow the instructions to verify your mailing address. Once completed, your Activation Code will be sent via registered mail.

Activate Your Company

Once you have your Client Number and Activation Code, enter them in the appropriate fields and select Activate Company.

You will see an activation message and you will be asked to accept the Terms and Conditions of Use. Only the Account Owner (i.e., the authorized company officer, who is the person who acts in an official capacity, such as a company director, executive, manager, or other individual who has signing authority) can activate the account and accept the Terms and Conditions of Use for TTP. The account is not considered to be authorized until the PIP Terms and Conditions of Use have been accepted. Your account information may only be modified once your account is authorized.

Once you have successfully activated your company and accessed your account, you will see the PIP Dashboard. For help with the Dashboard, refer to the help file within the TTP. For all subsequent log-ins, you will be brought directly from the credential sign-in page to your PIP Dashboard.

Transferring Account Ownership

Only the current Account Owner can transfer the account ownership to another individual.

Harmonization in the TTP

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the United States Customs and Border Protection (U.S. CBP) have committed to harmonizing the CBSA's Partners in Protection (PIP) and U.S. CBP's Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) programs, with a focus on highway carriers. Harmonization aligns the membership requirements of both programs, to the greatest extent possible, for the benefit of applicants, members, and both customs organizations.

Harmonization enables eligible highway carriers to apply to both programs using a single application process, undergo only one site validation, and have a single point of contact to administer their membership in both programs. Based on the location of the company's corporate headquarters, either PIP or CTPAT will be designated as the host program to administer harmonized membership on behalf of both programs, thereby streamlining the requirements for maintaining membership status.

New applicants to both programs who are Canadian-based highway carriers may apply for harmonized membership through the TTP, whereas highway carriers based in the United States will be redirected to apply for harmonized membership through the CTPAT portal. Highway carriers who are an existing member in only the PIP or the CTPAT program, must apply for harmonization through the Portal in which they already hold membership. Once the harmonized application has been approved by both programs, membership administration will be based on the host country (i.e., PIP will be the host program for Canadian-based companies and CTPAT will be the host program for companies based in the United States).

Note: Approval in one program does not guarantee approval in the other, as each country will retain sovereignty over its own program. Both programs retain the right to accept or deny membership regardless of the decision rendered by the other program.

You may choose to maintain separate, non-harmonized memberships in both programs. Companies that are members of both PIP and CTPAT outside of harmonization will still have access to the benefits of both programs. However, these companies will be required to manage separate accounts and provide updates to both programs regarding any changes to their business structure or security practices. In such cases, each program will have separate revalidation schedules and conduct separate site validations.

Harmonization Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for harmonized membership with the United States Customs and Border Protection's (U.S. CBP) CTPAT, a company must:

  1. Be a carrier in the highway mode with a valid Canadian carrier code and a valid U.S. Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC);
  2. Own or operate facilities in Canada or the United States that are involved in the cross-border movement of commercial goods;
  3. Have a good record of compliance with the CBSA and U.S. CBP;
  4. Have no history of significant customs contraventions;
  5. Consent to exchange of information between the PIP and CTPAT programs; and
  6. Comply with all eligibility requirements and minimum security criteria of both programs, unless special consideration is given to your particular business and/or security structure.

Am I ready for PIP / CTPAT Harmonization?

New highway carrier applicants to both programs must provide valid and up-to-date information in the portal in which they are applying from. Existing highway carrier members of either PIP and/or CTPAT who are temporarily managing their information in both the PIP and CTPAT Portals prior to applying for harmonization, should ensure the following information is identical in both portals:

Furthermore, when requesting harmonization, please ensure your existing CTPAT and/or PIP membership accounts are free from any outstanding obligations and/or program deadlines, such as:

Information Sharing

Companies may consent to information sharing between Canada and Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) partners through the Certification and Authorization to Disclose Information (CADI) form. Consent for information sharing between Canada and MRA partners will allow the programs to share basic company information, such as company name, company address, membership status, membership dates, and company identifiers (e.g., Partners in Protection identifier) for the purpose of providing benefits. For harmonization, additional information provided by companies in their Security Profile or obtained during site validations and risk assessments will be shared for the purpose of accepting PIP applications/memberships into the United States Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program and for compliance monitoring.

Help Resources

The CBSA's client support units will help members transition into the new TTP environment.

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