Maintenance of Records in Canada by Importers
Memorandum D17-1-21
Ottawa, January 25, 2021
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In Brief
- This memorandum has been revised to update the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) policy concerning the requirements regarding the maintenance of records, in and outside of Canada.
- Reference to the document CAN/CGSB-72.34-2005, Electronic Records as Documentary Evidence has been modified as the document was withdrawn and included in the new updated version, CAN/CGSB-72.34-2017, Electronic Records as Documentary Evidence, published March 2017.
- The template of the Agreement to Maintain Records Outside of Canada has also been updated in the appendix of this memorandum.
This memorandum provides information concerning the requirements regarding the maintenance of records by importers at their place of business in Canada, or at any other place designated by the Minister.
Legislation
Sections 40, 41, 43 and 109 of the Customs Act
Imported Goods Records Regulations
Table of Contents
Guidelines and General Information
Importer Records Maintained Within Canada
1. Record-keeping requirements for imported commercial goods apply to resident and non-resident importers, including exporters abroad who ship commercial goods to themselves in Canada.
2. Generally, an importer is required to maintain records at its place of business in Canada. However, an importer may submit an application to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) requesting authorization to maintain records at a location in Canada other than its place of business. The letter must identify the business address where the records will be maintained and how the location relates to the importer (e.g., accountant's office, customs broker office). If the records are kept at more than one location in Canada, they have to be integral at no less than one of the locations or a portal must be in place to access the records electronically.
Non-resident Importers
3. Non-resident importers usually do not maintain a place of business in Canada but may forward records to a licensed customs broker who prepares accounting documents on their behalf, pays duties, takes delivery of the goods, and arranges delivery based on their instructions.
4. A customs broker, accountant, or other authorized agent may be designated by a non-resident importer to maintain its records in Canada. The CBSA will only authorize this designation when the importer submits a request in writing for review and approval indicating the business address where the records will be maintained as well as the agent's name and relationship to the importer. It should be noted that when the CBSA authorizes such requests for an agent to maintain records, the importer continues to be responsible for all of the legislative requirements of subsections 40(1) and 43(1) of the Customs Act (the Act) and related regulations.
Records Maintained Outside of Canada
5. Importers may also submit a request to the CBSA for an authorization to maintain records at their place of business or other location outside of Canada, or designate an agent to keep records on their behalf. An example of the information required on an agreement to maintain records outside of Canada can be found in the Appendix to this memorandum. An electronic copy of the completed agreement must be sent to cm-go@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca for review prior to sending the original agreement for processing. Once the Agreement has been reviewed and accepted by the CBSA, please send the original hand signed copy to the following address :
Non-resident Importer Program
Trade Operations Division
Canada Border Services Agency
Courier/street address
1980 Matheson Blvd East
Mississauga ON L4W 5R7
Imaged and Microfilmed Records
6. Where records are maintained in an electronic imaged or microfilmed format, the imaging or microfilming program must adhere to the National Standards of Canada, CAN/CGSB-72.34-2017, Electronic Records as Documentary Evidence. This Standard is available from the Canadian General Standards Board website.
Electronic Data Processed Records
7. Records maintained in electronic imaged or microfilmed format are recognized as records of account, provided the medium can be related back to the supporting source documents or hard copy documents and is supported by a system capable of producing an accessible and readable copy.
8. All records of account (including source documents) available in paper format must be kept, except where an acceptable electronic imaging or microfilming program identified in paragraph 6 is in place.
9. The CBSA eManifest Portal users are required to retain separate records in respect of imported goods in accordance with the information provided in this memorandum. The eManifest Portal is not to be used for record-keeping.
10. Records kept outside of Canada and accessed electronically are not considered to be records in Canada. However, where records are maintained electronically at a location outside of Canada, a copy of the records may be accepted, provided these are made available to the CBSA in Canada or at a location designated by the Minister in an electronically readable and useable format.
Availability for Inspection and Delivery
11. The records referred to in sections 2 and 3 of the the Regulations shall be kept in such a manner as to enable a CBSA officer to perform detailed audits and verifications to obtain, or verify the information upon which a determination of the amount of the duties paid or payable was made.
12. In accordance with subsection 43(1) of the Act, the Minister may, for any purpose related to the administration or enforcement of the Act, require from any person the production of any record, book, letter, account, invoice, statement (financial or otherwise), or other document at a place, and within the time specified therein.
13. In addition to granting access to the records, the importer must provide access to key personnel who can deliver explanations on the information provided.
Non-compliance
14. Where it is determined that an importer has failed to comply with any of the requirements for the maintenance of records, the importer will be requested to fulfill these requirements within a reasonable period of time. If an importer fails to comply with the requirements of record maintenance under subsection 40(1) of the Act, the CBSA may:
- (a) assess Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) penalties in accordance with subsection 109.1(1) of the Act;
- (b) detain under the authority of section 41 of the Act, any goods imported by the importer until the importer has complied with the requirements.
15. Where a person who is required by subsection 40(1) of the Act to keep records, other than a person referred to in section 3.1 of the Regulations, has not kept records or has been requested to provide records in accordance with subsection 43(1) of the Act and fails to do so, preferential tariff treatment may be denied or withdrawn for the commercial goods that are the subject of those records.
Additional Information
16. For more information, within Canada call the Border Information Service at 1-800-461-9999. From outside Canada call 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064. Long distance charges will apply. Agents are available Monday to Friday (08:00 – 16:00 local time except holidays). TTY is also available within Canada at: 1-866-335-3237.
Appendix
References
- Issuing office:
- Trade and Anti-dumping Programs Directorate
- Headquarters file:
- 7635-4
- Legislative references:
-
Customs Act
Imported Goods Records Regulations - Other references:
- CAN/CGSB-72.34-2017, Electronic Records as Documentary Evidence
- Superseded memorandum D:
- D17-1-21 dated October 15, 2014
- Date modified: