Canada and Peru signed MRA – Partners in Protection
Canada and Peru signed MRA – Partners in Protection
On June 23, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), represented by Executive Vice-President Ted Gallivan, signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with the National Superintendency of Customs and Tax Administration of the Republic of Peru (SUNAT), represented by Deputy Superintendent of Customs Marilu Llerena, to honor each other’s Trusted Trader programs. The signing took place on the margins of the World Customs Organization Council Sessions in Brussels, Belgium.
This MRA will contribute to increased security of the international supply chain, facilitate trade at the border, and strengthen the economic competitiveness of Canadians doing business with Peru.
Members of Canada’s Trusted Trader program, Partners in Protection (PIP), can save time and money at the border because their imported goods are treated as low-security risks. This ultimately means a faster and more predictable customs clearance and contributes to the protection of Canadians by helping prevent contraband from entering the country. This MRA signifies that Peru will recognize Canada’s PIP program and will facilitate customs clearance for PIP members. In turn, the CBSA will provide reciprocal benefits to members of Peru’s Trusted Trader program, which is referred to as their Authorized Economic Operator/ Operador Económico Autorizado (OEA) program.
The CBSA signs MRAs with customs organizations around the world so that countries can recognize each other’s members and choose to honor similar benefits and security standards. This also means that countries will apply similar approval processes for program applicants. The overall goal of an MRA is to strengthen trust and security in the supply chain as a method of preventing nefarious activity, such as cargo theft and pilferage.
Border management is a shared international responsibility. Threats and opportunities arising from global migration and trade are dealt with most effectively by working together. Expanding the international network of accredited low-risk companies allows customs administrations to focus on targeting shipments of higher or unknown risk.