Livingston International, a customs broker and trade compliance company, is now ready for the testing phase of the Canada Border Service Agency’s (CBSA) Single Window Initiative (SWI).

The SWI allows companies that conduct international trade to electronically submit—through a single integrated platform—the release requirements of other government agencies. Livingston is among the first customs broker to be ready for SWI, and decided to implement the voluntary program because the format enables an expedited release of client cargo.

The SWI is a joint initiative between the CBSA and other Canadian federal government departments (OGDs) that want to receive shipment release information electronically. SWI is the Canadian counterpart under the Beyond the Border Action Plan, an agreement between Canada and the United States to provide commercial traders with a single window to submit all information required to comply with customs and other government regulations.

“It’s vital that we stay ahead of industry trends and initiatives that help simplify trade,” says Vice President, Regulatory Affairs Canada, Candace Sider.

The SWI in its existing form is a five-year project that was initiated in 2012.