FAST (Free and Secure Trade) is a trusted commercial lane / traveler program for eligible Mexico–US crossings. It answers: can this move use the expedited path? It does not replace CTPAT membership definitions — though the trusted chain often overlaps.
Sector reporting often cites ~27 minutes saved per crossing for FAST operators; treat it as an order of magnitude, not a contract guarantee. The sellable product is the window with timestamps (gate/GPS/POD). OCL compares promised vs actual time; it does not enroll FAST.
- avg savings cited (sector)
- ~27 min
- not a logo twin of CTPAT
- Lane
- sealed arrival time
- Evidence
Cluster: CTPAT · trip file · hub.
What FAST is
FAST is infrastructure for faster, trusted commercial crossings. In the electronics angle of the series, a one-hour border delay stops a Texas plant — so the product is the guaranteed window, not the truck alone.
Who it is for
Define which actor must show proof. Buying the wrong logo or role does not open the lane.
| Actor | Job |
|---|---|
| Carrier | Maintain eligibility / trained drivers |
| Shipper (electronics, JIT) | Buy a priced time window |
| 3PL | Promise only what the file can prove |
Time and productization
Sector reporting cited in the thesis: FAST carriers save about 27 minutes per crossing on average; at 20 crossings/week that is ~9 hours of avoided delay. Convert that into a priced service with sealed arrival evidence.
Eligibility at high level
Elige un paso para ver el detalle
Detalle del paso · 01
Trusted chain membership
FAST vs CTPAT
| CTPAT | FAST | |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Security partnership | Expedited lane / traveler program |
| Primary buyer question | Is the chain secure? | Can we clear faster / on a window? |
| Evidence | Membership + procedures | Eligibility + timestamps |
Selling a guaranteed hour
Flow
Operable order
Define
Window SLA
Assign
FAST-capable
Seal
Arrival time
Invoice
Own price
Seal the arrival time
Agents compare promised vs actual crossing / delivery timestamps on one trip ID. OCL does not enroll FAST.
Key takeaways5 points
- FAST is an expedited commercial crossing program — not a twin of CTPAT certification.
- Sector sources cite ~27 minutes average savings per crossing for FAST carriers; treat as directional.
- Electronics lanes monetize guaranteed windows; FAST is infrastructure for that product.
- Eligibility usually sits on a trusted chain (often CTPAT-capable) plus enrollment rules.
- Without sealed arrival evidence, “on time” is an opinion.
Want to price the guaranteed hour?
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
No. CTPAT is a security partnership; FAST is about expedited crossing eligibility/lanes.
Depends on program rules for commercial FAST; verify current CBP guidance with your broker.
As a priced window / guaranteed arrival product, not as a free promise inside linehaul.
Sealed timestamps (gate/GPS/POD) on the trip ID — see the trip operating file article.
No. It can capture and compare promised vs actual crossing times.