Attention Freight Forwarders: eManifest Penalties In Effect

Penalties now apply to non-compliance of eManifest for Freight Forwarders.

July is fast approaching for eManifest Compliance requirements. By now we are all aware that on May 6, 2015 the Federal Government made regulatory amendments to the Canada Customs Act supporting the eManifest initiative and as such, published these amendments in the Canada Gazette Part II making them legally binding.

‍Effective November 7, 2016 all consolidated shipments arriving in Canada, on or after November 7,2016, were subject to electronic house bill requirements even if the movement began prior to the timeframe. CBSA provided a period of transition to freight forwarders from November 7, 2016 to January 10, 2017 during which penalties for non-compliance were not issued and the CBSA worked closely with freight forwarders on corrective measures.

Now, Effective January 10, 2017 and until July 11, 2017:

Freight Forwarders deemed to be non-compliant with eManifest requirements may be issued a zero-rated penalty (non-monetary) under the CBSA's Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS). Starting July 12, 2017, Freight Forwarders deemed to be non-compliant with eManifest requirements may be issued monetary AMPS penalties, penalties with monetary values attached to them.

A reminder that Freight Forwarders must have a CBSA issued 8000 series carrier code (A four character code beginning with an 8) to transact business with the CBSA, including the advance electronic transmission of the housebill/supplementary data. Contact the CBSA Commercial Carrier Section if you do not already have a carrier code. See the CBSA website for contact information.

Freight Forwarders can transmit advance house bill data using either the EDI method or the CBSA eManifest portal. Freight Forwarders can engage a Third Party Service Provider to transmit pre-arrival house bill, house bill close message and supplementary data on their behalf. Pacific Customs Brokers provide this Third Party Service. July will be here sooner than you think. Now is the time to ensure that your business practices are in order so that you are not issued a noncompliance AMPS penalty come July 12, 2017.

Hefty AMPS Penalties For ACI eManifest Non-Compliance

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