Single Window Initiative

Products affected

• Tires
• Energy Efficiency

Additional benefits

• Reduced time in processing one import transaction.
• Consistency in decisions through the use of automated business rule validation.
• Streamlined submission process; a single release service option for both pre and post arrival processing.

Products affected

• Animal Health (including Terrestrial Animal Health, Aquatic Animal Health, and Veterinary Biologics)
• Feed
• Fertilizer Safety 
• Food (including Agri-food, Fish and Seafood, Meat, Imported and Manufactured Food)
• Plant Health
• Plants with Novel Traits
• Seed

Additional benefits

• Reduced time in processing one import transaction.
• Streamlined submission process; a single release service option for both pre and post arrival processing.

Products affected

• Explosives
• Vehicles
• Nuclear Substances and Equipment
• Wildlife Enforcement (CITES)
• Aquatic Invasive Species

Additional benefits

• Efficiency improvements through the elimination of redundant work. No need to submit Import report to Natural Resources Canada for transactions using IID.
• Cost savings through simplification and elimination of need to re-enter common data.
• Efficient border processing – the IID can be transmitted up to 90 days in advance for processing.
• Streamlined submission process; a single release service option for both pre and post arrival processing.
• No presentation of paper release package at the border, resulting in a faster border crossing.
• Quicker validation of the carrier/ importer's paper copies of their permit
• Consistency in decisions through the use of automated business rule validation. The upfront validation of declaration information will allow for the detection and correction of many declaration errors pre-border, which translates into reduced loss of time/cost to importers, carriers and brokers due to delays at the border.
• If inspections are required by a PGA, an officer can/ may be present when the commodity arrives reducing duration of detention.
• Improved awareness/ understanding of regulatory requirements.
• Greater consistency in expectations between Canada and other countries due to alignment with international standards.

Products affected

• Active Pharmaceuticals
• Blood and Blood Components
• Cells, Tissues and Organs
• Consumer Products
• Cosmetics
• Donor Semen
• Medical Devices
• Natural Health Products
• Human Drugs (including Radiopharmaceuticals)
• Radiation Emitting Devices
• Pest Control Products
• Importation of Human and Terrestrial Animal Pathogens and Biological Toxins

Additional benefits

• Interdiction and removal of non-compliant commodities from the marketplace will promote legitimate trade.
• Efficient border processing – the IID can be transmitted up to 90 days in advance for processing.
• Frequency of inspections for compliant shipments will be lower.
• Improved awareness/ understanding of regulatory requirements. The upfront validation of declaration information translates into reduced loss of time/cost to Importers and Brokers at the border, as declaration errors will be corrected pre-border. As a result, the use of SWI will increase the predictability of shipment releases.
• A single window to submit importation declarations, as well as having all HC/PHAC import requirements captured in one document (CBSA's ECCRD), will increase clarity regarding HC/PHAC import requirements.
• Decrease in "cost to do business" by going electronic due to a single-format electronic IID for all of HC/PHAC vs multiple different paper forms.

Products Affected

• New substances
• Engines, etc. (Transportation Division)

Additional Benefits

• SWI will allow for the ECCC to receive the data in real time (Engines) or on regular basis (Enhanced pathfinder for New Substances), giving the ECCC the opportunity to engage with stakeholder sectors involved as needed.

Products affected

• Agriculture
• Steel
• Textiles and Clothing

Additional benefits

• The IID provides importers with a more streamlined and convenient administrative process to import certain goods controlled under the Export and Import Permits Act. Importers may use the IID to request certain import permit applications (currently, only for beef and veal commodities) from Global Affairs Canada and the IID will also allow the CBSA to verify the permit information with Global Affairs Canada prior to the releasing of the goods.