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Partners in Protection consultants · Canada & USAPIP Certification in Canada and USA.
CBSA Trusted Trader · Faster Borders
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A PIP consultant will contact you within 24 hrs.
10+ Years PIP, CTPAT & FAST
500+ Consulting partners
100% Certification success rate
2 Offices Canada & USA
10+ Years of PIP
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What is PIP
PIP Certification: Canada's Trusted Trader Program
What is PIP certification? Partners in Protection (PIP) is a free, voluntary supply chain security program run by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Companies that meet CBSA's minimum security requirements become Trusted Traders, with lower examination rates, access to FAST lanes and recognition by CTPAT and other customs programs worldwide.
PIP is Canada’s equivalent of the U.S. CTPAT program, and the two have recognised each other since 2008. Carriers, importers, exporters, warehouse operators, freight forwarders and customs brokers can apply, and so can U.S.-based carriers and importers that do business in Canada.
Approval takes more than filling in the Trusted Trader Portal. CBSA reviews your security profile, assesses your risk and may visit your site before membership is granted. MAZE Consultancy checks your eligibility, writes the security procedures, prepares your application and gets your team ready for the CBSA site validation, so your PIP certification is approved and stays active.
Key benefits of PIP certification
What PIP Members Get at the Border
PIP is a partnership: your company secures its supply chain, and CBSA treats you as a Trusted Trader.
Lower Examination Rates
Trusted Traders are examined less often at the border, so freight keeps moving.
Recognised Worldwide
Mutual recognition with CTPAT and 12 other partners, including the EU, UK, Mexico and Japan.
Your Own CBSA Contact
An assigned CBSA contact who knows your company and your membership.
Dedicated CBSA Inbox
A dedicated email inbox for PIP members, so your questions reach the right team quickly.
Trusted Trader Portal
Manage your security profile, documents and membership online in one place.
Trusted by Shippers
Many importers and shippers prefer carriers and partners with Trusted Trader status.
Safer, Leaner Operations
Strong security reduces cargo theft and loss, and tightens your whole operation.
Eligibility
Who Can Apply for PIP?
Canadian companies that move commercial goods across the border can apply, and so can U.S.-based carriers and importers doing business in Canada.
Highway, Rail, Marine & Air Carriers
Secure your conveyances, seals and drivers, and qualify for FAST lanes into Canada.
Importers & Exporters
Show CBSA your supply chain is secure, from your suppliers' doors to the border.
Warehouse Operators & Freight Forwarders
Control access, cargo handling and supply chain partners across your facilities.
Customs Brokers
Protect client data and documents, and meet CBSA's minimum security requirements.
Our PIP services
PIP Consulting Services for Every Stage
Whether you are applying for the first time, expecting a CBSA site visit or due for revalidation, our PIP consultants have you covered.
New PIP Certification
Eligibility check, gap analysis, security procedures and your Trusted Trader Portal application, start to finish.
Site Validation Preparation
Document review, a mock walkthrough and staff coaching before the CBSA officer visits your site.
Annual Update & Revalidation
Your yearly security profile confirmation in the Trusted Trader Portal and your revalidation every four years.
PIP + CTPAT Together
Cross-border carriers often need both. One set of procedures built to satisfy CBSA and CBP.
About CTPAT certification →Our clients
Trusted by Companies We've Helped Get PIP & CTPAT Certified
- Dolphin Transport
- De Well Container Shipping Inc.
- LG Energy Solution
- A & A Contract Customs Brokers
- Golden Bridge International
- Ideal Roofing Company Ltd.
- Crown Auto Transport
- Dolphin Transport
- De Well Container Shipping Inc.
- LG Energy Solution
- A & A Contract Customs Brokers
- Golden Bridge International
- Ideal Roofing Company Ltd.
- StockX
Talk to a PIP consultant
Get PIP Certified
Ask for an eligibility check, help with your application or a site validation review. A consultant replies within 24 hours.
Toll Free+1-888-315-6293 Emailinfo@mazeconsultancy.com
Canada55 Village Centre Place,
Mississauga, ON L4Z 1V9
Mississauga, ON L4Z 1V9
USA1055 West 7th Street, 33rd Floor,
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Request a PIP readiness assessment
Tell us about your company and we’ll explain the next steps.
How we get you certified
Our 5-Step PIP Certification Process
One team handles the whole process, so your staff can keep running the business.
Eligibility & Gap Analysis
We confirm you meet CBSA's eligibility rules and measure your security against PIP's minimum security requirements.
Procedures & Controls
We write security policies, procedures and forms customized to how your company actually operates.
Staff Training
Your team learns its security duties, with training records ready for CBSA to review.
Trusted Trader Portal
We complete your company and security profiles, upload the documents and submit your PIP application.
Validation & Upkeep
We prepare you for the CBSA site visit, then handle annual updates and revalidation every four years.
Why MAZE Consultancy
A PIP Consultant That Stays With You
We don't hand you a template and leave. We build a security program that fits your company and support it year after year.
10+ years of FAST certification
PIP, CTPAT and CSA experience with carriers, importers and exporters across North America.
Procedures written for your company
Every policy and form is customized to how you really operate, not copied from a generic template.
A complete, first-time application
Incomplete PIP applications are denied, so we make sure every section and document is right before you submit.
Offices in Canada and the USA
Mississauga and Los Angeles teams supporting companies on both sides of the border.
The consultants were very easy to deal with and were very helpful in the process of achieving my company's C-TPAT certification.
We had a fantastic experience with MAZE Consultancy through certification and bonds. They gave us exceptional support during certification and validation.
More certifications
Complete Your FAST and Compliance Program
Most of our PIP clients also need one or more of these. One consultant can handle them all.
CTPAT CertificationU.S. trusted-trader programLearn more →
CSA CertificationCustoms Self AssessmentLearn more →
Bonded WarehouseWarehouse & carrier bondsLearn more →
Freight Broker PermitPermits and broker bondLearn more →
SmartWayEPA fuel-efficiency partnerLearn more →
ISO 9001Quality managementLearn more →
FAQ
PIP Certification FAQs
Eligibility, requirements, timelines, validations and how we help.
What is PIP certification?
Partners in Protection (PIP) is a free, voluntary supply chain security program run by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Companies that meet CBSA's minimum security requirements become Trusted Traders, which means lower examination rates, access to FAST lanes and recognition by CTPAT and other customs programs.
Is PIP the same as CTPAT?
They are partner programs. PIP is run by CBSA in Canada and CTPAT is run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The two have recognised each other since 2008, and cross-border carriers often hold both. MAZE can prepare one set of procedures for both programs.
Who can apply for PIP?
Canada-based highway, rail, marine and air carriers (including couriers), importers, exporters, warehouse operators, freight forwarders and customs brokers. U.S.-based carriers with a Canadian carrier code and U.S.-based importers doing business in Canada can also apply.
What are the PIP eligibility requirements?
You need a valid Canadian Business Number, registration in the CARM Client Portal, solvency, no relevant criminal convictions or significant customs violations, and you must meet the PIP minimum security requirements.
What are the PIP minimum security requirements?
CBSA groups them into four areas: corporate security (risk assessment, personnel, security training and cybersecurity), cargo and conveyance security (transportation, seals and agricultural security), physical security (access and physical controls), and supply chain partner security.
How much does PIP certification cost?
CBSA charges no fee to join PIP. Your costs are the security improvements your company needs and any consulting support. Call +1-888-315-6293 for a quote based on your company.
How long does PIP certification take?
Preparing your procedures and application often takes a few months, depending on what you already have in place. After you submit, CBSA's service standard is to process PIP applications within 180 business days, including the risk assessment and any site validation.
How do I apply for PIP?
Sign in to the CBSA Trusted Trader Portal, complete the company profile, user management, application profile and a security profile for each division of your business, upload the required documents and submit. You also complete a CADI form so CBSA can share your status with mutual recognition partners. MAZE prepares all of this for you.
What is a PIP site validation?
After reviewing your security profile and assessing your risk, a CBSA officer may visit your site to confirm your security measures are in place and working. Passing the validation leads to PIP approval and your benefits are activated.
How often does PIP need to be renewed?
Members confirm their participation and verify their security profile every year in the Trusted Trader Portal, and CBSA revalidates each member every four years. CBSA can also do compliance reviews or site visits at any time.
Does PIP give access to FAST lanes?
Yes. PIP members get reduced wait times in designated Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lanes for eligible shipments. FAST clearance into Canada also depends on the importer and the driver meeting FAST requirements.
Can a U.S. company join PIP?
Yes. U.S.-based carriers in any mode with a valid Canadian carrier code, and U.S.-based importers that have a Canadian Business Number and file Canadian customs declarations, can apply. MAZE supports companies from our Mississauga and Los Angeles offices.
Can PIP membership be suspended or cancelled?
Yes. CBSA can suspend a member for things like not reporting security incidents or changes, not fixing security gaps, or customs contraventions, and can cancel membership if the issue is not corrected. Ongoing compliance support keeps your status active.
MAZE Consultancy is an independent consulting firm. We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by or approved by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) or the Partners in Protection program.
Ready to become a CBSA Trusted Trader?
Book a PIP readiness assessment with a MAZE consultant today.
