The READY lane at Rio Grande Valley ports of entry have already proven beneficial to those who save time traveling across the border.
Border Trade Alliance President Nelson Balido said it's time to cut-down on drive times for companies trying to ship merchandise from Mexican plants into the United States.
The Mexican government is launching the "Nuevo Esquema de Empresas Certificadas."
It's a new voluntary trusted shipper program that offers participating companies fewer inspections and faster clearance at borders by land and sea.
"(Companies) achieve the certification by, first of all, applying, and (second) making sure that their supply chains from the manufacturing process, to the customs brokers to the transportation company - all are part of the program," Balido said. "Every major maquiladora or major company in Mexico will want to participate in this."
The United States has had a similar trusted shipper program in place for about seven years.
Participating companies, practice certain security measures and go through rigorous screenings on their shipments, before reaching ports of entry to save time and money.
Balido said with Mexico on board, shippers win both ways.
"Since 2009, year over year increases in trade - despite what you hear that the United States that there's economic issues, and there is, (but) trade continues to rise,” Balido said. “I believe our partners in Mexico, in the U.S. working together, continue to benefit the quality of life, not only in the region, but also the United States."
Companies that participate in the Mexican and American programs still have to go through inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, but Balido said the program has minimized "contaminated shipments."
"A contaminated shipment can be anything from a food-borne illness to an illicit substance,” Balido said. “You have these companies that go through an extensive security process to secure that supply chain to minimize or eliminate any kind of contaminated shipments," Balido said.
Mexico will put this program in place come November.
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