The paper considers the changing security context Business and other groups on both sides of the of customs and immigration clearance at the land border have repeatedly pointed out that finding the border, describes the range of new programs right balance between a secure border and an introduced to meet new challenges, and places that economically efficient one remains elusive. [...] The rate of arrest for minor governments, together with state, provincial, and customs and immigration offenses remains miniscule local governments, have already devoted in relation to the 400,000 people and $2 billion in considerable funds to upgrading infrastructure at trade goods and services that cross the border on a the approaches to the land border and at customs 12 daily basis.10 clearance [...] For the purposes of this paper, the focus is on the first group, particularly truck-based commercial traffic, the largest and by far the most resource-intensive user of the border. [...] Ultimately, trust in users, in part due to the erosion in levels of trust the overall protection program rests on the between local and national officials and between confidence of managers on both sides of the border Canadian and American officials at both the supervi- that required and approved safeguards will be sory and operational levels.18 Programs aimed at implemented consistently and corre [...] Preclearance provides an approach that can inform The appeal of preclearance for both governments and expedite every aspect of customs and and users is that it reduces the need for physical immigration clearance, providing border officials inspection at the land border by preclearing the with reliable advance information that will allow shipper or the traveler on the basis of information them to m