CBSA announces next phase of Advance Commercial Information requirements

The Canadian Border Services Agency has released information about the next phase of the Advance Commercial Information (ACI) initiative, with a deadline of May 9th, 2005.

This phase of ACI will require the electronic transmission of cargo and conveyance data for the specified Transportation modes within designated advance timeframes for imports, in-transits shipments and Freight Remaining on Board (FROB). The provision of this data will enable the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to more effectively assess health, safety and security risks for shipments arriving in Canada, says the agency.

Under this phase of ACI, the requirement for presentation of paper primary cargo and conveyance reporting documents for imports and in-transit shipments will be eliminated. The secondary cargo reporting procedures will not change. Under ACI, it is anticipated that the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system will be expanded to enable the capture of conveyance data required by Transport Canada and the Canada Coast Guard for marine mode, and Citizenship Immigration Canada for marine and rail modes. The system will also be expanded to enable electronic reporting of information on the vessel stowage.

The requirements and implementation schedule for mandatory advance electronic transmission of highway cargo/conveyance data and secondary cargo data for all modes as well as mandatory electronic release data transmission for all modes will be announced in a future Customs Notice.

AIR AND RAIL MODES REQUIREMENTS

Air and rail carriers will transmit cargo and conveyance data in accordance with the specifications set out in a Participants’ Requirements Document (PRD) for that purpose. Freight forwarder data will not be required electronically until a later phase of ACI.

For air mode, the cargo and conveyance data must be transmitted electronically to the CBSA at least 4 hours before the arrival of the plane at the airport in Canada, or by "wheels up" to Canada if the voyage is less than 4 hours.

For rail mode, the cargo and conveyance data must be transmitted electronically to the CBSA at least 2 hours before the arrival of the train in Canada, including data on empty equipments.

The CBSA will build electronic messages maps using the EDIFACT protocol for air carriers and will update electronic messages maps in the ANSI protocol for rail carriers.

Upon receipt of a transmission that meets system edit rules, the CBSA will issue an acknowledgement message. If the transmission does not meet system edit rules, the CBSA will issue a reject validation message.

If a reject validation message is received, the carrier must immediately resubmit corrected data for the conveyance and cargo before the arrival in Canada.

Containers and shipments may be held for more information or for examination at the first point of operational intervention.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MARINE SHIPMENTS LOADED IN THE U.S.

The ACI exemption for marine shipments loaded in the United States, specified in Customs Notice N-542 and Customs Notice N-565, will be removed effective May 9th, 2005. Carriers will transmit cargo and conveyance data for shipments loaded in the United States in accordance with the specifications set out in a Participants
Requirements Document (PRD) for that purpose. Freight forwarders will also be permitted to transmit certain electronic cargo information to the CBSA.

For marine shipments loaded in the United States, the cargo and conveyance data must be transmitted electronically to the CBSA at least 24 hours before the arrival of the vessel at the first port in Canada. If the length of the voyage is less than 24 hours, the transmission would be required at the time of departure.
Electronic message maps using ANSI and EDIFACT protocols are currently available for marine carriers and freight forwarders. Upon receipt of a transmission that meets system edit rules, the CBSA will issue an acknowledgement message. If the transmission does not meet system edit rules, the CBSA will issue a reject validation message.
If a reject validation message is received, the carrier or freight forwarder must immediately resubmit corrected data for the conveyance and cargo before the arrival in Canada.

Containers and shipments may be held for more information or for examination at the first port of arrival. The CBSA may issue a "Do not Unload" message pending the submission of additional data or if there is a threat to health and safety or security.

If a carrier or freight forwarder is unable to comply with the requirement to transmit the information electronically, that carrier or freight forwarder must arrange for the information to be transmitted electronically to the CBSA by another party. Corrections to cargo data should be made electronically as soon as they are known and until the liability for the payment of duties on the goods transfers from the carrier. Once the liability has transferred, any subsequent corrections should be made in paper form to the CBSA.

Failure to comply with advance notification requirements under the ACI may result in the application of penalties and sanctions under the Customs Act.

The Participants Requirements Document will be issued in advance of implementation and can be obtained from:

Manager
Electronic Commerce Unit
15th Floor Sir Richard Scott Building
191 Laurier Ave. W.
Ottawa ON K1A 0L5
Telephone: 1-888-957-7224