Canada Customs & Revenue Agency
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Released: 20 May, 1999

Canpass Highway Program Eliminates Annual User Fees

Ottawa, May 20, 1999...The Minister of National Revenue and M.P. (Vancouver South-Burnaby), the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, today announced that users of the CANPASS Highway Program in British Columbia will no longer be required to pay the annual administrative fee of $25.

"As of today, administrative fees have been eliminated in British Columbia," Minister Dhaliwal said. "We hope that more British Columbians will take advantage of this efficient expedited border service. The CANPASS Highway Program allows travellers to clear customs quickly and allows us to focus our resources on areas of higher risk."

In British Columbia, CANPASS service is available in Boundary Bay, Pacific Highway, Douglas, Aldergrove, Huntingdon and Osoyoos.

CANPASS participants, who have been pre-approved through a series of background checks, receive a CANPASS Highway package including a vehicle decal. Unless specifically requested to do so, travellers displaying the decal while entering Canada at specified border crossings can proceed through customs without stopping for an interview with a customs or immigration officer.

CANPASS participants who have made purchases out of the country have the option of stopping at the customs office to pay duty and taxes owing or of completing a traveller declaration card, which they can remit as they drive through customs. Revenue Canada will bill their credit card account using the information provided on the application form.

The CANPASS Highway Program, which is available to Canadian and U.S. citizens and permanent residents, is one of several CANPASS programs that were developed as part of the Canada-U.S. Accord on Our Shared Border.

The Accord is intended to promote trade, tourism, and travel between the two countries.

CANPASS programs have been developed jointly by Revenue Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada to simplify customs and immigration clearance for frequent, low-risk travellers.

For information on how to register for the CANPASS Highway Program, or information on the CANPASS family of initiatives, please contact your local customs office.