Important information for Importers Shipping into Canada

Effective October 15, 2007, unless otherwise exempted, the CBSA will no longer accept paper versions of either the release on minimum documentation (RMD) or the Pre-arrival Review System (PARS) service options. Customs Notice 07-008 mandates the elimination of paper releases, affecting anyone involved in importing commercial shipments into Canada.

News Item Entered: Monday, August 27, 2007

The CBSA is in the final stages of implementing Advance Commercial Information (ACI), an initiative also referred to as eManifest to determine admissibility of commercial shipments into Canada in advance. Phase I and II of ACI has already been implemented in both the air and marine modes. ACI is based on the provision of electronic pre-arrival cargo information to the CBSA for risk assessment purposes. Information gathered will eventually transpire into data for electronically processing pre-arrival importer admissibility. In order to prepare importers for full implementation of ACI and to address security concerns, the CBSA has decided to increase the use of EDI by eliminating the use of paper release options. Upon implementation, border services officers will be allowed to move away from data capture to an environment that focuses primarily on safety, security and facilitation of trade.

As a result of this impending change in import release procedures, importers are faced with key business challenges, such as Advance Information, Profiling and Compliance. Schenker of Canada can help you in these areas to make this a seamless transition.

As one of Canada’s leading Customs Brokers and international provider of Integrated Logistic Services, Schenker of Canada Ltd. is committed to investing in our people and technology. We are taking steps to minimize the impact of this change on our clients and carriers. We are ready to assist in the following ways:

Advanced Information:
One key component is to maximize the usage of electronic commercial invoice transfer with our clients. Schenker of Canada can help you and your vendors to become EDI capable, as well as assisting you to modify your manual environment to meet the new requirements.

Profiling:
Assist you in enrolling in the supply chain security initiatives. C-TPAT and PIP means fewer shipment cargo inspections and less customs enforcement intrusion. This means better control of transit time which will put your company in a competitive advantageous position.

Compliance:
Schenker Customs Consulting will assess your current compliance level by conducting an audit or review to determine weaknesses and initiate corrections. Importer is responsible for complying with all customs-related rules and legislation, as well as maintaining systems and controls linking “procurement to payment”. AMPS (Administrative Monetary Penalty System) is put in place to monitor any failures to comply with existing customs regulations. .

October 15 is fast approaching. We want you to be ready for this major industry event. Please contact us to find out how we can help!