Technical guide for the Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS) portal — Introduction / Purpose and Scope

1.0 Introduction

The primary information system collecting information for the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) export program, is the Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS).

With–respect to data requirements and business rules, the CERS Portal requirements and associated rules are explained in this publication, the Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document (ECCRD): Chapter 25—CERS Portal (and in documentation referred to herein).

The CBSA recommends that CERS Portal clients review all narrative sections of this document, in conjunction with Appendix A: Data elements, for a full understanding of CERS Portal technical requirements.

Additional resources about the CERS Portal are listed in Section 13.0 of this document. These include contact information and additional documentation related to the CERS Portal. The CERS Portal Help and Support web page also provides instructional information and can be accessed at (This will be available in the subsequent version of the ECCRD).

Clients are advised that the content of this document is subject to revision and amendment in the event of system upgrades and/or changing operational requirements. The CBSA will endeavour to provide as much advance notice as possible of major system changes and will notify clients of upcoming changes through messages in the CERS Portal. Clients are encouraged to read messages on a regular basis.

2.0 Purpose and scope

This ECCRD is provided as part of the documentation for the CERS Portal, the new CBSA export reporting system replacing the Statistics Canada's CAED system. The CERS Portal does not support any import activity.

The purpose of this document is to provide exporters and customs service providers (CSP) with information about how to provide electronic export documentation information to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) submitted through the CERS Portal. It also provides information about how to view the status of Submitted Export declarations, as well as Messages sent by CBSA.

Policy guidelines will be outlined in the Reporting of Exported Goods Regulations and related D-Memoranda.

The data element requirements for providing export information through the CERS Portal are listed in Appendix A: Export declaration of data elements.