Authorized Economic Operators

In the Islamic Countries:

Enhancing Customs-Traders Partnership

As illustrated in Figure 2.9, the PIP program included 1,532 members in 2014, where

according to the CBSA statistics in 2018, the total number of operators has reached 1,555. In

both years, the majority of members are involved in highway transportation (more than 60

percent of total PIP holders), followed by importer and exporter firms. It is worth noting that

the number of PIP certified importers, warehouse operators, freight forwarders and rail

carriers has decreased between 2014 and 2018, which could be due to non-compliance and

failure to obtain revalidation.

Figure 2.9. PIP Participants by Sector (2014)

Source: CBSA (2014)

Application, Verification and the Authorization Process

The procedure of obtaining a PIP authorization is composed of the following steps:

Companies wishing to obtain the PIP authorization are required to complete an online

application at the CBSA Trusted Trader Portal. This includes a Security Profile (the

program’s application form) in which operators provide detailed information on

physical security and access controls; procedural security; conveyance, cargo, and

equipment (container, trailer and rail car) security; data and document security;

personnel security; security training and awareness; and business partner security.

The objective is to prove compliance with the program’s requirements. Any new

information is also submitted online through the Portal. Timely updates on the

application progress are also provided by the Portal.

ii.

CBSA examines the applicant’s security profile thoroughly and performs a risk

assessment including possible Customs infringements by the operator, their history of

compliance, criminality and financial stability.

iii.

A CBSA officer performs an onsite validation of the company to confirm that the

operator meets PIP’s security requirements. Some recommendations on necessary

improvements may also be provided.

451

315

948

9 14 6

131

20 23

168

200

400

600

800

1000