CBSA processing times

Processing times vary depending on the type of request, how you submit your request and the number of requests the CBSA has received. Get an estimate of how long it will take us to respond to your request.

Enforcement and Trusted Traveller appeals

Processing times

The current estimated processing time in workable daysFootnote 1.

Enforcement and Trusted Traveller appeals
90 calendar days

Last updated: 2024-10-04

Service description: Providing travellers and the commercial community with ministerial review decisions of enforcement actions and/or trusted traveller membership decisions.

More information about the enforcement and trusted traveller appeals process.

Processing times help you estimate how long it will take the CBSA to respond to your request. The processing time for the enforcement appeal service is updated quarterly, which consist of the average processing time for that quarter. Processing times depend on a number of factors, including the number of enforcement appeals submitted and your response to requests for more information.

Trade appeal

Processing times

The current estimated processing time in workable daysFootnote 1.

Trade and commercial appeals and reviews
Tariff classification
366 workable days
Origin of goods
214 workable days
Value for duty
426 workable days
Tariff classification of prohibited weapons
70 workable days
Request for extension of time
304 workable days
Casual refund
145 workable days
Trade and commercial reviews
179 workable days

Last updated: 2024-10-04

Service description: Providing the import/export community with a review of trade and commercial decisions made by the CBSA.

More information about the trade and commercial appeal process.

Processing times help you estimate how long, in workable time, it will take the CBSA to respond to your request. The processing time for the trade and commercial appeal service is updated quarterly, which consist of the average processing time for that quarter. Processing times depend on a number of factors, including the number of trade and commercial appeals submitted and your response to requests for more information. The processing time is calculated using workable time only (from date the request is received to the decision date, minus non-workable time). A file may be non-workable for a variety of reasons such as waiting on a related tribunal/court decision, at the client’s request, etc.

Feedback mechanism

Processing times


21 working days

The current estimated processing time of a complaint in calendar days.

Last updated: 2024-10-04

Service description: Providing complainants with a response to their concerns.

More information about compliments, comments and complaints mechanism.

Processing times help you estimate how long it will take the CBSA to respond to your request. The processing time for the feedback mechanism service is updated monthly, based on the previous month's data. Processing times depend on a number of factors, including the number of complaints submitted and your response to requests for more information.

Free and Secure Trade (FAST) application

Processing times


30 workable days

The current estimated processing time to assess your eligibility for the FAST program in business days.

This processing time does not include the scheduling of the interview as this is done at the convenience of the applicant and the availability of appointments at the Enrolment Centres, which vary.

Last updated: 

Service description: Providing applicants with an initial response to their request to participate in the FAST program.

More information about the FAST application process.

Processing times help you estimate how long it will take to assess your eligibility for the FAST program, prior to scheduling the interview. The processing time for the FAST application is updated monthly, based on the previous month's data. Processing times depend on a number of factors, including the number of applications submitted and your response to requests for additional information.

NEXUS application

Processing times


30 business days

The current estimated processing time to assess your eligibility for the NEXUS program in business days.

This processing time does not include the scheduling of the interview as this is done at the convenience of the applicant and the availability of appointments at the enrolment centres, which vary.

Last updated: 

Service description: Providing applicants with an initial response to their request to participate in the NEXUS program.

More information about the NEXUS application process.

Processing times help you estimate how long it will take to assess your eligibility for the NEXUS program, prior to scheduling the interview. The processing time for the NEXUS application is updated monthly, based on the previous month's data. Processing times depend on a number of factors, including the number of applications submitted and your response to requests for additional information.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): Application and testing process

Processing times


3 workable days

Review of Application – The current estimated processing time to review the EDI application and communicate to the client the necessary course of action to be followed in the ensuing testing process (in business days).

Last updated: 2024-09-27

Service description: This service provides businesses with the ability and authorization to electronically exchange commercial information with the CBSA's host system using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), either through the Customs Internet Gateway (CIG) or a Direct Connect (MQ Messaging).

If you do not wish to transmit electronic commerce data directly to the CBSA, third-party service providers can transmit data to the CBSA on behalf of trade chain partners. Businesses and their service providers who choose to use one of the EDI options to transmit electronic commerce data must apply to the CBSA.

More information: Become an Electronic Data Interchange client.

Processing times help you estimate how long it will take to review your EDI application and communicate to you the necessary course of action to be followed in the ensuing testing process. The processing time is updated monthly, based on the previous month's data. Processing times depend on a number of factors, including the number of applications submitted and your response to requests for additional information.

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