CBSA to Require Increased Use of EDI for Release Purposes
Canadian Border Services Agency has issued a customs notice to announce the phased-in time frames to increase the use of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) for release purposes as the CBSA and industry prepare for the implementation of eManifest.
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Can Use EDI to Meet eManifest Requirements
eManifest is the third phase of the Advance Commercial Information (ACI) program. The first two phases of ACI require air and marine carriers to electronically transmit pre-arrival cargo and conveyance information to the CBSA, within advance time frames. Once fully implemented, eManifest will require trade partners in all modes of transportation (air, marine, highway and rail) to electronically provide cargo, conveyance, crew/passenger, secondary and importer data to the CBSA prior to arrival at the border.
Clients can transmit the required electronic data using either an existing EDI method or the eManifest Portal, which CBSA is currently developing. Since October 2010, EDI has included functionality for the transmission of highway carriers' advance cargo and conveyance data.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/18/11 and 04/26/11 news, 11031817 and 11042612, for most recent BP summaries of Canada’s eManifest.)
EDI Already Used for RMD/PARS Release Requests up to 100 Lines
To increase the use of EDI and help meet the eManifest requirements, CBSA introduced “Phase I” measures in April 2008. These measures introduced the requirement for the electronic (EDI) transmission of Release on Minimal Documentation (RMD), including the "Pre-Arrival Release System (PARS)", release requests for shipments containing 100 or less invoice line items unless otherwise exempt (see below) as set out in Memorandum D17-1-4 (here).
EDI to be Required for More Invoice Lines in RMD/PARS Starting Sep 2011
CBSA is now announcing “Phase II” measures to further increase the use of EDI for RMD and PARS release requests. Effective September 1, 2011, RMD and PARS release requests must be transmitted to the CBSA electronically (EDI) if the total number of invoice lines is 250 or less. These requirements change again in February 2012 and June 2012 depending on the number of invoice lines as follows:
| RMD and PARS EDI needed: | For total number of invoice lines: |
|---|---|
| September 1, 2011 | 250 or less |
| February 1, 2012 | 500 or less |
| June 1, 2012 | 999 (CBSA system capacity) or less |
Certain EDI Exceptions for RMDs to Remain in Effect
Certain exceptions to transmitting RMD information electronically will remain in effect until an EDI option is introduced. EDI Exceptions Lead Sheets will continue to be required at time of submission of paper release requests. Exceptions to the requirement of transmitting RMD documentation using EDI are as follows:
- Goods are subject to the requirements of an OGD and there is no EDI link between the CBSA and the other government department or agency;
- The number of invoice lines contains more than 250, 500 or 999 invoice lines; depending on the phased in time lines mentioned above;
- The release is for Shortages, Entered to Arrive, Value Included, Provisional, etc. where there is no EDI option;
- There is more than one warehouse sub-location code per release transaction;
- The release transaction is covered by multiple highway cargo control numbers at the border;
- The CBSA has issued a paper Form Y50, Reject Document Control, to the importer/broker for courier/low-value shipments;
- Goods are moved into a bonded warehouse using the release on minimum documentation option (grey wrapper);
- Goods are to be released from a Queen's warehouse;
- CBSA or client system outages;
- Regulated goods qualifying for tariff classification 9813 or 9814 ("Canadian Goods Returning").
Brokers and importers are reminded that paper RMD release requests will not be accepted if it does not meet one of the exceptions listed above. Should an EDI RMD release option not be used, submission of a B3, Canada Customs Coding Form "C" type is required. An EDI Exception Lead Sheet is not required for shipments released using the B3.
Carriers Should Provide Timely Info to Brokers/Importers to Avoid “Failed PARS”
As the CBSA continues to increase the requirement for brokers/importers to transmit release data electronically, carriers are encouraged to provide the necessary information to the broker/importer as early as possible. Timely submission of this information will assist in reducing delays experienced by highway carriers at the border (e.g., "Failed PARS").
BP Note
Note that the Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters will be holding a series of workshops across Canada in late May and June 2011 on the CBSA’s eManifest program and border clearance process (the “New Normal”), including information on PARS processes. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 05/24/11 news, 11052414, for BP summary.)