Carriers, Are You Prepared For eManifest?

eManifest is the third phase of the Advance Commercial Information (ACI) program. The ACI program will provide Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers with electronic pre-arrival cargo and conveyance information so that they are equipped with the right information in advance. This will enable CBSA officers to identify health, safety and security threats related to commercial goods before the goods arrive in Canada.

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.

On October 31, 2010, CBSA made eManifest electronic data interchange (EDI) systems available to highway carriers, or their service providers, for the transmission of cargo and conveyance data before arriving at the border. Although registered and tested EDI clients were able to begin transmitting eManifest information on October 31, 2010, the 18-month implementation timeline for all highway carriers to transmit cargo and conveyance data will begin in early summer 2011.

The implementation timeline consists of a 12-month awareness period, followed by six months of informed compliance. During this time, the regulations will be in effect but penalties for non-compliance will not be enforced. Once the 18-month implementation timeline is complete, non-compliance with eManifest requirements may be subject to penalties.

5 Frequently Asked Questions About ACI eManifest | Part 1

Timeline For Northbound eManifest Implementation:

1. November 1, 2011, to November 1, 2012 - 12-month awareness period - Highway carriers have 12 months to incorporate eManifest requirements into their business processes.
2. November 1, 2012, to May 1, 2013 - informed compliance period - eManifest requirements are mandatory. Highway carriers deemed to be non-compliant will be denied entry to Canada and issued zero-rated penalties.‍
3. May 1, 2013 - The implementation timeline is complete. Highway carriers deemed to be non-compliant will be denied entry to Canada and issued monetary penalties.

To facilitate compliance and ease the transition from paper reporting to pre-arrival electronic data transmission for small- to medium-sized enterprises, CBSA is offering an eManifest Portal  option beginning in early summer 2011.

Pacific Customs Brokers Inc. (USA) currently provides e-Manifest filing services (both full and self serve) for a number of different carriers/self-carrying importers entering the USA and has been doing so since the program's inception in March 2007.

Pacific Customs Brokers Ltd. (Canada) also offers the same eManifest filing services (both full and self serve) for all carriers and self-carrying importers entering into Canada.

For more information or to set up your eManifest account call our toll-free number at 888.538.1566 and speak with our Carrier Relations Liaison today.

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