Partners in Protection - Mutual Recognition

Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) expand the international trade network of accredited low-risk companies. An MRA between the CBSA and other customs administrations regarding the Partners in Protection (PIP) and compatible customs-trade partnership programs means that:

• both countries apply similar security standards and site validation practices when approving companies for membership in their respective programs, and
• both countries recognize each other's members and may grant them similar benefits.

MRAs allow government customs administrations to work together to improve their ability to target high risk shipments while expediting legitimate cargo. To enhance cross-border security, the CBSA has signed MRAs recognizing the compatibility of its PIP program with the following foreign Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs:

• June 2008 – U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Customs- Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program
• June 2010 – Japan Customs and Tariff Bureau – Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program
• June 2010 – Korea Customs Service – AEO program
• June 2010 – Singapore Customs – Secure Trade Partnership (STP) program
• May 2016 – Tax Administration Service of the United Mexican States – AEO program
• July 2017 – Israel Tax Authority – AEO program
• July 2017 – Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection – Australian Trusted Trader Programme (ATT)
• June 2019 – Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department – AEO program
• June 2019 – New Zealand Customs Service – Secure Exports Scheme (SES)
• June 2022 – National Superintendency of Customs and Tax Administration (SUNAT) of the Republic of Peru – AEO program

Harmonization of PIP and CTPAT

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 companies 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.

For information on eligibility requirements and applying for harmonized membership, visit the Trusted Trader Portal help page.