ARCHIVED - Plenary Sessions

March 11, 2010

Members of the Border Commercial Consultative Committee (BCCC), and the eManifest Stakeholder Partnership Network (eSPN) attended the fourth eSPN Plenary on March 11, 2010, following the two-day BCCC meeting in Ottawa. The objectives of the Plenary were to inform members about the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) Change Agenda, and to provide an update on eManifest.

The morning focused on eManifest updates including implementation timelines, the eManifest Portal and the requirement to obtain a carrier code to submit data electronically. Participants also reviewed program directions, including implementing advance trade data from importers and reviewing policies, as well as updates on the Customs Self Assessment (CSA) Offshore proposal. The afternoon began with an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) trade panel, which consisted of both trade and CBSA representatives sharing their experiences regarding the use of EDI. A discussion between trade members and the CBSA on the policy priorities Issue Log was followed by questions and answers on topics including “flying trucks” and the process for release of goods.

The Plenary concluded with the CBSA addressing questions that were raised by members throughout the meeting. It was noted that, moving forward, the Agency would make the Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document (ECCRD) for highway mode available on the CBSA Web site, focus on client support and increase eManifest communications and outreach activities.

February 23–24, 2009

Members of the Border Commercial Consultative Committee, the eSPN and their guests attended the third eSPN plenary. The objectives of the one-and-a-half-day meeting were to review recent CBSA policy decisions and approaches to implementation and client service. Breakout sessions, co-facilitated by the CBSA and the trade community, were conducted to gather feedback.

The breakout sessions on the first day focused on policy decisions that the CBSA had taken on mandatory importer admissibility data (IAD), release at the first point of arrival (FPOA), in-bond movement of goods, examinations at the FPOA, trip-match notifications, broker/freight forwarder downloads and amendments to Advance Commercial Information (post-arrival).

Members provided feedback on how these policy decisions would affect trade processes. The trade community also raised issues that needed to be addressed, particularly relating to IAD.

On the second day, breakout sessions focused on the CBSA's approach to eManifest implementation, and included discussions that identified client service and outreach issues and client support needs. Participants also discussed what the early adoption of eManifest would entail for trade chain partners.

All feedback from the discussions was presented directly to the CBSA vice-presidents in attendance.

Note: Since the February 2009 eSPN plenary, the CBSA has consulted with the trade community about the preliminary conclusions of a senior-level review of importer admissibility data (IAD) requirements. As a result of these consultations, a specific border process has been incorporated into the IAD requirements policy that would allow goods to move in-bond to a CBSA-approved warehouse when all IAD cannot be provided pre-arrival. This process will be tied to the CBSA's trusted trader programs: Partners in Protection (PIP), Customs Self Assessment (CSA) and Free and Secure Trade (FAST). Consultations are continuing on the data element definitions.

February 25, 2008

The CBSA hosted the second eManifest Stakeholder Partnership Network (eSPN) plenary. eManifest project managers and eSPN members delivered presentations on electronic data interchange reporting, the Web portal and passage process, the deployment plan, business transformation, and communications and consultations. Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions and offer their input.

January 18, 2007

The inaugural meeting of the eSPN was held in Ottawa with over 150 participants. Participants shared information, provided input and constructively tackled business decisions and policy related to eManifest. Government representatives gave presentations and stakeholder engagement was facilitated within four discussion groups.

• A follow-up meeting for members from a plenary breakout group was held on February 20, 2007. The group devised the terms of reference and structure for the eSPN steering committee and established three eSPN working groups (sub-working groups would be created on an as needed basis, including a working group for freight forwarders and highway carriers). It was recommended that plenary sessions be held twice a year on dates close to Border Commercial Consultative Committee meetings.