Customs Notice 23-26: Elimination of ACROSS Service Options (SO) 257 (EDI RMD) and 117 (Paper PARS)

Ottawa, November 7, 2023

Revised November 29, 2023

1. On April 15, 2024, the ACROSS Service Options (SO) 257 (EDI RMD) and 117 (Paper PARS) will be decommissioned and will no longer be in service.

2. Brokers and importers are encouraged to use SO 911 (Integrated Import Declaration) to obtain release of goods and stop using SO 257 (EDI RMD) as soon as possible to ensure a smooth and successful transition.

3. SO 125 (EDI PARS) and SO 174 (Paper RMD) will continue to be available as release options.

4. The Paper RMD Service Option (174) will remain indefinitely. Furthermore, a Paper RMD can be submitted at any time up to 45 days prior to arrival, or 40 days after the goods have been reported to CBSA. In all respects, the Paper RMD will include the pre-arrival functionality of the current Paper PARS, with the added benefit of being able to submit multiple shipments, i.e., cargo control numbers (CCN) pre-arrival, in paper format. Note: Release documents must be submitted electronically unless otherwise exempted. See paragraph (60) in Departmental Memoranda 17-1-4, for a list of EDI exceptions.

5. The EDI RMD Service Option (257) will be decommissioned and any shipments requiring multiple CCNs must now be submitted, whether pre- or post-arrival, using the IID. The EDI PARS service will remain active alongside the IID although the intention is for it to also be decommissioned at a future date to be determined. Note: EDI PARS can be submitted up to 45 days prior to arrival and up to 40 days after the goods have been reported to CBSA.

6. The Departmental Memorandum 17-1-4: Release of Commercial Goods will be updated to reflect these changes.

7. For more information about SO 911 (Integrated Import Declaration), please refer to Memorandum D17-1-4 - Release of Commercial Goods.

8. For information about other CBSA programs and services, please contact the Border Information Service (BIS).

9. If you have comments or questions regarding this notice, please contact ImportPrograms.Programmesdesimportations@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca