top of page
Industry and Company FAQ's
Canada Imports and ExportsUnited States Imports and ExportsOnline Cargo TrackingGeneral 1UP Cargo FAQ'sCustoms Exams FAQ'sAll-Risk Cargo Insurance
- 01Suppose the cargo description provided by the shipper or consignee is generic, such as "FOOD STUFF," which does not meet CBSA eManifest requirements for detailed explanations. Should the freight forwarder submit the eManifest with this description or request a more detailed one? Who is responsible for the accuracy of the information submitted? The entity holding the 8000 carrier code, usually the freight forwarder, is responsible for ensuring that the eHBL data submitted to CBSA are accurate and comprehensive. It is inadequate if a description like "FOODSTUFF" is provided. Canadian freight forwarders should instruct their overseas offices and agents to collaborate with shippers to obtain and provide a more specific and detailed description of the goods. This detailed information should be included in the house bill of lading and the eHBL submission to avoid issues such as shipment delays or additional inspections at the border.
- 02Step 1: Apply for a Bond Required by CBSA for RPP Enrollment Click the link below to complete the bond application with our surety provider, which is now required by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to enroll in the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) program: 👉 Apply for RPP Bond Here Step 2: Purchase Confirmation Once your RPP Bond is approved and issued, you will receive the bond document by email. Please keep this document for your records, as you will need to upload it to the CARM Client Portal to complete the process. Step 3: Upload Your Non-Cash Bond to the CARM Portal After purchasing your bond from the surety provider, follow these steps to upload and submit it in the CARM Client Portal: 1. Start the Bond Upload Log in to the CARM Client Portal. Navigate to: Menu → Accounts and Profiles → Program Account Profile. Click the Sub-programs tab and locate the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) row under the “Requests” section. When the status shows 'Pending' security deposit, click the $ Deposit icon. 2. Post the Non-Cash Bond On the Post Security Deposit page, select Non-cash, then click Next. Fill in all required fields (marked with an asterisk *). Enter the Bond Number (this is the Security Agreement No. provided by your surety). Click Submit. 🔔 Note: The system will display the bond status as 'Under Guarantor Approval' until the surety provider confirms its validation. 3. Finalize the Submission Once your bond is approved, you'll receive a notification. Return to the Program Account Profile and go to the Sub-programs tab again. Click 'Submit Security' to finalize the process. You will then receive a confirmation message indicating successful enrolment in the RPP program using the non-cash bond. Full CBSA User Guide to Upload RPP Bond: Here (Pages 17-22)
- 03Importing goods into Canada involves various documentation requirements to ensure compliance with Canadian customs regulations. The documents required may vary depending on the type of goods, their value, and the country of origin. Here’s a detailed look at the typical documents needed for importing goods into Canada: - Bill of Lading or Air Waybill: Issued by the carrier, this document is a receipt for shipped goods detailing the shipper, consignee, goods, and route. - Commercial Invoice: Provided by the exporter, this document includes detailed descriptions, quantities, prices, and total values of goods for customs duty assessment. - Canada Customs Invoice (CCI): Required for goods over CAD 2500 or per customs' demand, it provides detailed transaction details including seller, buyer, country of origin, and sale conditions. - Certificate of Origin (if applicable): Required to verify the manufacturing country of the goods, especially under trade agreements. - Import Permits (if applicable): These are necessary for regulated items like firearms, food, and agricultural products. - Cargo Control Document (if applicable): A control document from the carrier or freight forwarder that tracks goods until customs clearance. - Packing List: Details the contents of each package, which helps verify shipments. - Proof of Insurance (if applicable): Needed if dictated by sale terms (Incoterms) to cover transit risks. - Other Certificates (if applicable): Health, sanitary, or other inspection certificates may be required for specific items like food or live animals.
- 04The Canadian customs clearance process involves a series of steps to legally import goods into Canada and ensure compliance with all regulations and laws. - Documentation Review: When goods arrive in Canada, the importer or agent must provide the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) with all necessary documentation, such as a bill of lading, commercial invoice, and required permits or certifications. These documents help determine the goods' classification, valuation, and admissibility into Canada. - Duties and Taxes Calculation: Based on the documentation, CBSA calculates the duties and taxes applicable to the shipment. The amount of duties and taxes depends on the type of goods, their value, and their country of origin, among other factors. - Goods Inspection: CBSA may select shipments for inspection to verify the accuracy of the documentation and compliance with Canadian regulations. Inspections can be document-based or physical examinations of the goods. - Release of Goods: Once all regulations are met and duties and taxes are paid, CBSA releases the goods for entry into Canada. If there are issues, such as incomplete documentation or unpaid duties, the goods may be held at the border until resolved. Role of a Customs Broker: A customs broker acts as an intermediary between the importer and CBSA, facilitating the smooth clearance of goods through customs. Here are some key roles of a customs broker: Expert Guidance: Customs brokers know the latest regulations, tariff classifications, valuations, and duties and taxes applicable to different types of goods. They use this expertise to advise importers on the most efficient and compliant way to clear their goods. - Document Preparation and Submission: They prepare and submit all necessary customs documentation on behalf of the importer to ensure accurate and timely processing. Duty and Tax Management: Customs brokers help calculate the expected duties and taxes and can often provide legal options to minimize these costs, such as utilizing trade agreements or duty relief programs. - Liaison with Government Agencies: Customs brokers communicate directly with CBSA and other government agencies involved in the import process, addressing any issues that may arise during clearance. - Compliance and Updates: They ensure that importers comply with all current laws and regulations and keep them informed about any changes in customs procedures that might affect their shipments.
- 05How We Can Help with US-Canada Shipments - Logistics Planning and Management: We coordinate all aspects of transportation, from pick-up at the origin to delivery at the destination; this includes selecting the most efficient and cost-effective routing and transportation modes (road, rail, air, or sea). - Customs Clearance: We handle the complexities of customs procedures for both countries. This includes preparing and submitting all necessary documentation to ensure compliance with customs regulations and avoid delays. - Carrier Coordination: We manage relationships with carriers to ensure timely and reliable transit. We select carriers experienced with US-Canada shipments and meet all regulatory requirements. - Warehousing and Distribution: If needed, we offer warehousing solutions for shipments that require storage or distribution services along their journey. - Cargo Insurance: We provide cargo insurance options to protect against loss or damage during transit. Specific Considerations for Cross-Border Shipments - Customs Documentation: Proper documentation is crucial for smooth cross-border shipping. This includes commercial invoices, certificates of origin, bills of lading, and any other documents required by customs. - Regulatory Compliance: Compliance with each country’s specific import/export regulations is crucial. This includes understanding the tariffs, duties, and taxes applicable to the types of goods being shipped. - Product-Specific Regulations: Certain products may be subject to additional controls and regulations. For instance, food products, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals often require inspections and additional certifications. - Labeling and Packaging Requirements: Different standards may apply to labeling and packaging. For example, bilingual (English and French) labeling is mandatory for most products sold in Canada. - Environmental and Safety Standards: Adherence to environmental regulations and safety standards, which might differ between the two countries, is crucial to avoid fines and sanctions.
- 06Using our Release Notification System (RNS) "Status Query" feature, you can monitor transaction statuses at any time. This function checks for updates on specific transactions or Cargo Control Numbers (CCNs), producing various messages such as: - CCN not on file - Transaction number not on file - Goods released - Goods required for examination - referred - Goods may move or be detained at their destination (CFIA) - Declaration accepted, awaiting the arrival of goods - Authorized to deliver - CSA shipment - Declaration accepted, awaiting customs processing We have also introduced new and enhanced eManifest notices for EDI clients. These updates provide several advantages, including: - Notifications about the completeness of advanced data provided by trade chain parties; - Updates on the arrival and status of shipments throughout the commercial import process; - Enhanced communication between businesses and the CBSA, enabling information sharing among registered trade chain partners. For access to RNS and eManifest Notices, please contact the TCCU.
- 07A carrier code is a unique four-character code used by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to identify marine carriers, regardless of how often they cross the Canadian border with commercial goods. APL Canada: 9234 CMA CGM Canada: 9558 Cosco Canada: 9502 Evergreen: 9476 Hapag-Lloyd: 9529 Hyundai Canada: 9463 K Line America: 9447 Maersk Line: 9381 MOL Canada: 9949 MSC Canada: 9066 NYK Canada: 9165 OOCL Canada: 9082 PIL/Westward: 90BE YangMing: 91NG Zim Canada: 9312 Ocean Network: 919J SM LINE: 918P
- 08
- 09eManifest is a Canadian filing requirement under CBSA's Advance Commercial Information program. It does not replace U.S. ISF requirements. If an ocean container arrives at a U.S. port before moving to Canada, an ISF-5 filing may still be required because the cargo is arriving in the United States before being discharged, moved in-bond, or continuing to Canada. eManifest is for Canadian border reporting, while ISF is for U.S. Customs reporting ISF 5 is used for ocean cargo that is not entering U.S. commerce. This includes Freight Remaining on Board (FROB), Immediate Exportation (IE), Transportation and Exportation (T&E) in-bond shipments, and certain shipments moving to a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ). ISF 5 requires five data elements: Booking party Ship to party Commodity HTSUS number Foreign port of unloading Place of delivery ISF 10+2 is the standard ISF filing used for most ocean import shipments entering the United States. It requires the importer, or their authorized agent, to submit key shipment details to U.S. Customs before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel bound for the U.S. ISF 10+2 generally includes the following information: Manufacturer or supplier Seller Buyer Ship to party Container stuffing location Consolidator Importer of record Consignee Country of origin Commodity HTSUS number Carrier information Vessel stow plan and carrier-required data The main difference is that ISF 10+2 is used for standard U.S. ocean imports, while ISF 5 is used for cargo that is passing through, moving in-bond, or not formally entering U.S. commerce.
- 10eManifest is part of the Canada Border Services Agency's Advance Commercial Information (ACI) program. It requires carriers to electronically submit cargo and conveyance details before the shipment arrives at the Canadian border. This allows CBSA to review shipment data in advance, assess risk, improve border security, and help speed up the clearance process. For truck shipments entering Canada, the eManifest must usually be submitted at least one hour before arrival at the border. Air and rail shipments generally require submission four hours before arrival, while marine shipments generally require filing 24 hours before loading at the foreign port. Yes, amendments can be made after an eManifest is submitted, but they should be completed before the shipment arrives at the border. Keeping the information accurate and up to date helps avoid delays, inspections, and possible penalties. eManifest can also help streamline the clearance process. Since CBSA receives shipment details in advance, officers can perform risk assessments before arrival, which may reduce border wait times and help expedite the release of goods. Failure to comply with eManifest requirements can result in border delays, increased inspections, and monetary penalties. CBSA penalties vary depending on the issue and frequency of non-compliance, and can reach up to USD $8,000 in serious cases.
- 11A Cargo Control Number (CCN) identifies a Highway Cargo or House Bill Cargo Document that represents the initial record of a shipment that will arrive in Canada and enables the CBSA to control the movement of imported goods. The CCN is a unique reference number that can be up to 25 characters and contain both numbers and letters assigned by the carrier or freight forwarder. The CCN must begin with the CBSA-issued Carrier Code (already hard-coded in the field). - Note: If release document(s) are being prepared, please ensure the CCN provided to the broker/importer matches perfectly. - For example: If the shipment’s bar-coded PARS number presented by the carrier at the border is "1234PARS56789", then the CCN electronically transmitted prior to arrival must also be "1234PARS56789".
bottom of page