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Customs self-assessment program for carriers
Memorandum D23-2-1

Ottawa,

ISSN 2369-2391

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In brief

  1. References to Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lane use have been amended and now state that only members of Partners in Protection (PIP) or members of both Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) and PIP can access these lanes
  2. The Privacy Statement has been updated to include the appropriate section of the Act
  3. The Eligibility Criteria has been updated to be consistent with the Accounting for Imported Goods and Payment of Duties Regulations (AIGPDR)
  4. Residency Requirements have been updated to be consistent with the AIGPDR
  5. The Carrier Application process has been updated to reflect that Part II can begin before Part I is finalized
  6. The Transfer of Membership section has been updated
  7. The Suspension, Cancellation, Appeal and Reapplication sections have been updated to ensure they are consistent with the AIGPDR
  8. The Place of shipment section has been updated
  9. References to invalid service options 539 and 547 have been updated with service options 984 and 976
  10. The Electronic Transmission section has been amended to include the appropriate ECCRD chapters
  11. The Post-Incident Analysis section has been updated

This memorandum must be read in conjunction with memorandum D23-1-1

This memorandum outlines and explains the policies and procedures about the reporting and transportation of goods into Canada by a carrier authorized under the Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) program. The memorandum also provides information on how to apply for a CSA authorization under the program, as well as information relating to the refusal, suspension, or cancellation of a CSA authorization. Under the CSA program, an authorized carrier may report eligible goods to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) using a CSA clearance process and deliver those goods in Canada directly to the place of business of an authorized importer before release, the owner of the goods, or a consignee of the importer. A glossary of terms used in this document is included at the beginning of this memorandum.

On this page

Legislation

Guidelines and general information

Definitions

1. The following definitions apply to this memorandum:

Act
Customs Act
ACI
Advance Commercial Information
AIGPDR
Accounting for Importer Goods and Payment of Duties Regulations
AMPS
Administrative Monetary Penalty System
Authorized Officer
A person holding legal signing authority for the company that is applying for authorization under CSA.
Authorized to Deliver
The status of a CSA shipment that allows the carrier to deliver the goods directly to the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee where the importer and carrier are authorized. In highway mode, the driver is registered under CDRP or FAST. The carrier is liable for duties until the importer, owner or consignee receives the goods.
Bonded Carrier Code
A unique four-character identifier issued by the CBSA used to identify a specific carrier who has posted a bond and has been authorized to operate as a bonded carrier.
Border Services Officer (BSO)
These are officers who were formerly designated as customs officers, immigration officers and food inspection officers.
Business Number (BN)
A 15-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by the Canada Revenue Agency to identify a business. The BN consists of a nine-digit registration number and six- character account identifier. For example: 123456789RM0002 - The registration number 123456789 identifies the legal entity and the account identifier RM0002 identifies an importing/exporting division or branch of the legal entity.
CADEX
Customs Automated Data Exchange
Carrier Code
A unique four-digit identifier issued by the CBSA to identify a specific carrier.
Carrier/Transporter
A person who, in accordance with the Transportation of Goods Regulation, is authorized to transport goods or to cause goods to be transported.
CCN
Cargo Control Number
Commercial Driver Registration Program (CDRP)
A voluntary CBSA program to register commercial truck drivers and allow them to participate in the CSA program. Drivers that meet the qualifications of the program become registered drivers and receive a photo identification card.
Commercial Goods
Goods imported into Canada for sale or for any commercial, industrial, occupational, institutional or other like use.
CSA
Customs Self-Assessment
CSA Carrier
A carrier that holds a CSA authorization.
CSA Clearance
A function performed by the CBSA that provides authorization to move inward from the CBSA’s control. Under the CSA program, the clearance process occurs at the first point of arrival and provides the carrier with authorization to deliver goods to the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee before to release. (This is not to be confused with CSA release of the goods that occurs when the goods are delivered.)
CSA-Eligible Goods
Eligible goods mean commercial goods that have been shipped directly from the United States or Mexico. With respect to both classes of goods, there is no requirement under any Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province, or any regulation made under such Act for a permit, license or other similar document to be provided to the CBSA before the goods are released.
CSA Importer
An importer that holds a CSA authorization.
CSA Release
The date on which goods of the authorized importer are physically received on site, at the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee, regardless of when the goods are actually received into inventory.
CSA Shipment of Goods
Goods that are eligible to enter Canada under a CSA service option, which are imported by an authorized importer and transported into Canada using an authorized carrier. In the case of commercial highway conveyances, the driver is to be registered under the CDRP or FAST.
Division
A branch of a company that is not separately incorporated.
ECCRD – Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document
A document containing EDI message maps, supporting data element glossaries and code tables, used for systems programming.
EDI
Electronic Data Interchange
FAST – Free and Secure Trade
A commercial clearance initiative designed to ensure safety and security while expediting legitimate trade across the Canada-U.S. border.
Fleet Operator
An owner-operator (see definition) who owns more than one piece of equipment, which is dedicated to a CSA carrier by a written contractual agreement.
FPOA
First Point of Arrival
FTZ
Foreign Trade Zone
Instruments of International Trade (IIT)
Empty shipper or importer owned containers and also those registered under Ottawa file or with container bank numbers, which are used to transport commercial goods to and from Canada. For example: shipping tanks, pallets, baskets, bins, boxes, cartons, crates, gaylords, load lock/spacers, racks, trays, totes or similar goods used to ship goods internationally.
A letter provided by the applicant/member business to the CBSA authorizing a third party representative to provide information to the CBSA on behalf of the business. The business maintains full liability for all information provided to the CBSA by their representative.
Letter of Authorization
A letter provided by the applicant/member business to the CBSA authorizing a third party representative to provide information to the CBSA on behalf of the business. The business maintains full liability for all information provided to the CBSA by their representative.
LTL
Less than Truckload
OGD
Other Government Department
OIC
Order in Council
Owner-operator
A person who owns and operates transportation equipment, and has a written contract to provide equipment exclusively to a CSA carrier.
PARS
Pre-arrival Review System
Pre-arrival Review System
A person who owns and operates transportation equipment, and has a written contract to provide equipment exclusively to a CSA carrier.
Participants’ Requirements Document for Carriers
A chapter of the ECCRD containing information about the required data elements, EDI message maps and code tables
PIL
Primary Inspection Line
Post-Incident Analysis (PIA)
The activities undertaken with a member following a breach of supply chain security. The PIA will investigate the incident, identify any mitigating circumstances, and formulate a strategy for the prevention of future incidents.
Primary carrier
The CSA-approved carrier who assumes liability for the goods, and maintains liability for duties and taxes until the goods are delivered to the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee. The primary carrier maintains the audit trail and books and records pertaining to the CSA shipment. Liability for the CSA shipment is controlled by use of the primary carrier’s carrier code at the time of report.
Registered driver
A driver who has qualified for and received a CDRP or FAST card.
Reporting carrier
A person involved in an international commercial transportation who reports cargo to the CBSA and/or operates a conveyance used to transport specified goods to or from Canada.
RMD
Release on minimum documentation
RNS
Release Notification System
Secondary carrier
The CSA-approved carrier who transports the goods into Canada on behalf of the primary CSA carrier. Secondary carriers are required to present both the primary carrier’s carrier code and their own carrier code at time of report.
Service Option (SO)
A numeric identification used in the CBSA’s system to identify a specific clearance program.
Shipment
Goods that are carried into Canada under a single transport document such as a Bill of Lading (BOL) or waybill.
SO (CSA EDI-LTL) Sufferance Warehouse (SO Warehouse)
An SO CSA EDI LTL Sufferance Warehouse is a sub-type of the Type S sufferance warehouse, as described in Memorandum D4-1-4, Customs Sufferance Warehouses which is operated by a person or persons for the storage of specific classes of imported goods arriving by any mode of transportation. The SO CSA EDI LTL Sufferance Warehouse is for goods transported by CSA carriers.
TCCU
Technical Commercial Client Unit – unit of the CBSA that provides technical advice and testing to external commercial clients.
Terminals and Warehouses
Locations owned or controlled by the carrier company, where international freight is accessed, deconsolidated or consolidated, stored or transferred.
Trade Chain Partner (TCP)
An enterprise that is directly involved in the importation or cross-border movement of goods imported or transported by a CSA importer. For CSA carriers, the related TCPs include terminals and warehouses operated by the carrier and owner-operators contracted to the carrier.
Transport Document Number (TDN)
A cargo control number assigned by a carrier.
United States Goods
Goods that are imported from the United States, including US FTZs, not having been trans-shipped through the United States from a third country. United States goods may include goods originating in the United States, or goods that have legally entered the commerce of the United States.

Introduction

2. The Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) program is designed to streamline the import process from the time goods are reported to the CBSA, through to the accounting and payment of duties. The CSA program is founded on the pre-approval and authorization of the driver, carrier and importer. The carrier’s business systems are used to support the report of goods and the importer’s business systems are used to support the self-assessment of trade data, revenue amounts and payment of duties and taxes.

3. To use Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lanes into Canada, carriers and importers must be authorized under the Partners in Protection (PIP) program or both the CSA and Partners in Protection (PIP) programs The driver must be registered in either the FAST Commercial Driver Program or Commercial Driver Registration Program (CDRP). For additional information on FAST and PIP, refer to the CBSA.

4. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information and guidelines about CSA clearance. Information about CSA post-release processes is provided in Memorandum D23-3-1, Customs Self-Assessment Program for Importers. Information about CDRP and FAST registered drivers can be found on the CBSA.

5. The CSA program is comprised of two components:

(1) Accounting, Revenue Reporting, Payment and Adjustment – Importers authorized under the CSA program use the CSA accounting and payment processes for all commercial goods imported, regardless of the clearance process used to report the goods to the CBSA.

(2) CSA Clearance (Transportation and Reporting of Goods) – CSA clearance is an optional reporting process available only to members of CSA.  In order to utilize the CSA clearance, the following conditions must be present:

(a) the goods must be eligible goods as defined under section 2 of the Accounting for Imported Goods and Payment of Duties Regulations (AIGPDR);

(b) the importer of those goods is an authorized CSA importer;

(c) the carrier that transports those goods is an authorized CSA carrier;

(d) when reporting the goods, the operator of the conveyance provides in bar code format the CSA carrier’s carrier code as assigned by the Agency and the CSA importer’s business number; and

(e) in the case of eligible goods transported into Canada by a commercial highway conveyance as defined in section 1 of the Presentation of Persons (2003) Regulations, the driver of the conveyance holds an authorization under those Regulations, either the CDRP or FAST programs. Information on these driver programs may be found on the CBSA.

6. The key features of the CSA program include:

7. General CBSA requirements regarding the transportation and reporting of goods outside the CSA program are described in Memorandum D3-1-1, Policy Respecting the Importation and Transportation of Goods.

8. All references to sections, subsections, and paragraphs in this memorandum are from the Customs Act unless otherwise stated.

Privacy statement

9. The information collected under the CSA program application and supporting documents is done in accordance with the authority of section 32 of the Customs Act for the purposes of administering or enforcing the CSA Program. The information will be used to determine the eligibility of an applicant and to conduct compliance reviews (e.g. to ensure that members continue to adhere to program requirements) and may be disclosed internally for the purposes of investigation and enforcement activities relating to program applicants and members. The information may also be used for statistical purposes and program evaluation. Disclosure of the information collected under the CSA program application and supporting documents is governed by section 107 of the Customs Act.

10. In addition to the information outlined in the CSA program application and supporting documents, the CBSA may disclose the business name, address, contact information, business number, membership dates, membership status and business identifiers to other programs within the CBSA and to other government agencies, to confirm membership status, conduct debt checks or carry out the mandate of the CBSA, as applicable, under section 107 of the Customs Act.

11. Individuals have the right of access and/or can make corrections to their personal information under the Privacy Act. The information collected is described within Info Source under the CSA program detailed in the CBSA Info Source Chapter.

Section 1: CSA authorization

Eligibility criteria

12. To participate in the CSA program, the carrier must meet all of the following basic eligibility criteria:

Residency requirements

13. Pursuant to paragraphs 10.5 2(a) and (b) of the AIGPDR, the importer must have its head office within Canada or the US, or operate a branch office in Canada or the US. Specifically:

14. The Canadian or American business entity maintains separate books and records in relation to the Canadian or American business operations, and prepares separate financial statements; files Canadian income tax returns; maintains and controls bank accounts in Canada or the US; accounts for the imported goods and is responsible for paying the applicable duties and taxes.

15. CSA program approval requires carriers to have a unique CBSA carrier code, be authorized to transport goods as a bonded carrier, and have posted security of a minimum of CAN$25,000 before having applied to the program. Where applicable, the legal entity must apply for all divisions at the time of application.

16. Carriers who do not have bonded status before applying for the CSA program must receive authorization to operate as a bonded carrier before their application will be reviewed. Information on obtaining bonded-carrier status with the CBSA is provided in Memorandum D3-1-1, Policy Respecting the Importation and Transportation of Goods and Memorandum D1-7-1, Posting Security for Transacting Bonded Operations. For additional information on the carrier code application process please refer to the CBSA under the Import/Export Section.

17. To be eligible for CSA a carrier must have transported commercial goods to or from Canada at least once during the 90 days before the day on which the application was received. A non-bonded carrier can also be considered for the 90 day transport criteria and does not exclude the applicant from the CSA program. The carrier must ensure that all non-bonded carrier codes and business names under which they have operated are provided to the CBSA when they apply.

CSA carrier application

18. The following section of this memorandum describes the application and approval process for carriers who wish to transport goods that are reported to the CBSA under the CSA clearance option. The application and approval process for importers who wish to be authorized as a CSA importer are described in Memorandum D23-3-1, Customs Self-Assessment Program for Importers.

19. A CSA application is free of charge and comprised of two parts which are to be completed by the carrier accurately and completely:

20. Part II of the application process will commence prior to Part I being completed. A front end review for application completeness will be completed once Part I is received. Once completed, the Part I application will be risked and the CBSA Officer will initiate contact with the applicant to start the Part II system review.

Note: Once both parts are completed, a Summary of Program Requirements shall be issued to the carrier, for signature, by the CBSA. The carrier will then return the signed document to the CBSA. Additional information regarding the Summary of Program Requirements can be found in paragraph 47.

21. Throughout the application process, the CBSA reserves the right to request information in addition to details provided by the carrier in Parts I and II of the application.

22. The CBSA will refuse to issue a CSA authorization to any applicant, if it is found that the applicant provided false or misleading information in any part of its application and may assess a penalty of $25,000 CAD.

23. Should the business decide to hire a third party to complete the application process, and/or in any other interactions with the CBSA, they must provide the CBSA with a Third Party Authorization letter signed by an authorized officer (see “Definitions” for details) of the business. The letter of authorization should be printed on the business’ letterhead and should follow the suggested format outlined in Appendix G. The business maintains full liability for all information provided to the CBSA by their representative.

Part I – CSA application

24. To apply for CSA authorization, the carrier must first complete Form E647, Customs Self-Assessment Program Carrier Application – Part 1.

25. An authorized officer of the business must sign the application form to certify that the information provided is true and complete. The signing officer must have authority for the divisions making the application, but does not have to be the same officer that signed Part I.

26. When completed, the original signed application is submitted to CBSA:

Courrier or in person:

Custom Self-Assessment
Canada Border Services Agency
55 Bay Street north, 6th floor
Hamilton ON  L8R 3P7
Canada

27. When Part I of the application is received, a CBSA, officer is assigned to the carrier. This officer serves as a single point of contact for the CSA program, manages the carrier’s application, provides ongoing guidance and assistance and monitors the carrier’s CSA program compliance.

28. During Part I of the application process, the carrier should confirm that the business is correctly registered under the Business Number (BN) program with the Canada Revenue Agency. To participate in the CSA program, it is essential that the legal entity is registered under only one nine-digit BN and divisions or branches of the legal entity involved in the importation of goods are identified with a unique import/export (RM) account identifier. You can register for a business number, or add an import/export account to an existing business number, by calling the CRA at 1-800-959-5525. Additional information about the BN can be found in departmental Memorandum D17-1-5, Registration, Accounting and Payment for Commercial Goods.

Risk assessment

29. Information requested on Part I of the CSA application (Form E647) is used by the CBSA to assess the risk of the applicant carrier as a legal entity. This includes all divisions, terminals in Canada, the United States and Mexico, and warehouses that are owned or operated by the entity. Risk assessment focuses on conditions that might influence the illegitimate or unlawful entry of goods into Canada under the CSA program, or that could obstruct CBSA verification and audit activities. These conditions include, but are not limited to, the applicant’s enforcement history with the CBSA, criminality, convictions of fraud, the past capability of the business to maintain proper books and records, to provide accessibility of these records to the CBSA, and the settlement of outstanding debts to the Crown.

30. As part of the risk assessment of a client, the CBSA may request a visit to the operations of the business to discuss or observe factors such as:

31. In cases where there are indications of possible risk within the operations of an applicant, or depending on a carrier’s cross-border history, the CBSA may request additional information before final approval of an application.

32. The time frame for processing, completing and approving the carrier may vary from case to case, for reasons such as:

Note: Applicants may contact their CBSA officer with any inquiries about the status of their application.

Part I - Approval

33. Those carriers whose Part I applications have had a front end review and have been risked, the CBSA Officer will initiate contact with the applicant to start the Part II system review. Final approval for participation is obtained only when Part II of the application process is completed successfully and the Summary of Program Requirements is signed by the approved carrier and accepted by the CBSA.

Part I - Denial

34. Carriers who are denied under Part I of the application are notified of the decision and the reasons for the decision, in writing. The letter of notification will be sent to the attention of the authorized person in the business, who signed Part I of the application.

A carrier whose Part I application has been denied, may request a review of the decision by submitting a written request, accompanied by any supporting documentation, to:

Manager
Custom Self-Assessment
Attn: Manager CSA Carrier Program
Canada Border Services Agency
55 Bay Street north, 6th floor
Hamilton ON  L8R 3P7
Canada

Part II – CSA application

35. Carriers who have received an invitation to continue to Part II of the CSA application must complete Form E656, Customs Self-Assessment Program Carrier Application – Part II. The Form E656 and instructions for completion can be obtained by contacting the assigned CBSA officer.

36. An authorized officer of the business must sign the Form E656 and certify that the information provided is true and complete. The signing officer must have authority for the divisions making application, but does not have to be the same officer that signed Part I. When completed, the original signed application is submitted to:

Custom Self-Assessment
Canada Border Services Agency
55 Bay Street north, 6th floor
Hamilton ON  L8R 3P7
Canada

37. The purpose of Part II is to ensure that the carrier’s business systems and records will provide for and confirm the report of all goods imported into Canada, and the proof of their delivery or alternative discharge. The carrier must demonstrate the audit trails and internal controls related to the transportation of imported goods from the initial order, to the delivery of a shipment and payment of an invoice. In addition, as described in the Transportation of Goods Regulations, eligibility as a CSA carrier is subject to the availability of records to prove disposition of the cargo, in accordance with sections 18 and 20 of the Act.

38. Details about the specific systems requirements for the CSA program are provided in Part II of the application. These requirements include how the carrier’s systems will:

39. In Part II of the CSA application process, the applicant carrier is required to describe his or her existing business flow for an international shipment from the time an order is booked to the delivery of the goods, and the final invoicing and receipt of payment for the service. This information should be supplied no later than six months after notification that Part I of the client’s application has been approved. Failure to submit the Part II CSA application within this timeframe may result in a request of resubmission of the Part I application. Sample documents related to the carrier’s business flow are also requested to support the description, examples of which might include bills of lading, waybills, invoices, customs control documents, equipment lists, equipment usage logs, and dispatch records.

40. With Part II, the applicant carrier is also required to provide a list, in either paper or electronic format, of approximately 25 shipments isolating Canada-bound international shipments from all other shipments. Carriers having only a 90-day history will be asked by their CBSA officer to provide a sample listing of Canada-bound international shipments. The following information is required.

41. The carrier will be required to supply an all-inclusive, sequentially numbered listing of Canada-bound, U.S.-bound and domestic shipments for a specified period to ensure system integrity, or provide an alternative audit trail (including manual systems) that meets these requirements and is acceptable to the CBSA. The carrier is required to discuss the need for an alternative audit trail with the CBSA officer responsible for the file and the CBSA officer will determine whether it is acceptable to the CBSA.

42. The specific systems requirements and processes to support the CSA program, described in Part II of the application, must be shown to be in place before approval and must be operable before the CSA clearance process can be used. All specific systems requirements must be maintained and updated, as required. An authorized officer of the company must sign the application form, as certification that the information provided is true and complete.

43. The CSA carrier is required to keep audit trail records, relating to the transportation, report and delivery of goods in hard copy or electronic form for three years, plus the current year. A penalty, which may include removal from the CSA program, may apply for failure to maintain the required audit trails.

44. It is important to note that acceptance and approval of Part II of the application does not:

45. Before final CSA authorization of the carrier, the CBSA reserves the right to request information, in addition to the details provided by the carrier in Part I and Part II of the application.

46. Carriers who misrepresent the facts or provide false information on the CSA application may be assessed a penalty, denied approval for, and/or removed from the CSA program. For additional information on CSA carrier suspension, removal and cancellation, see Section 2.

Part II - Approval

47. The final approval for participation in the CSA program is obtained when the Technical Commercial Client Unit (TCCU) bar code testing is successfully completed and all other requirements have been met. A Summary of Program Requirements will be provided to the approved carrier upon completion and approval of Part II. This summary provides reinforcement of the obligations necessary for successful participation in the CSA Program. The client will provide the CBSA with a signed acknowledgement of receipt of this summary. Once the signed Summary of Program Requirements is received, the CBSA will activate the carrier’s CSA status in the CBSA’s system and the carrier will be authorized to use the CSA clearance process.

48. The CBSA officer will inform carriers who do not meet all the requirements of Part II of any recommended changes. If the carrier does not make changes based on these recommendations, the CBSA may ask the applicant to withdraw from the application process or may deny inclusion in the program. This does not preclude the carrier from re-applying, should the circumstances that led to a withdrawal or denial change, thus making it possible for the carrier to be compliant with all the requirements.

Part II – Denial

49. Carriers who are denied under Part II of the application are notified of the decision and the reasons for the decision, in writing. The letter of notification will be sent to the attention of the authorized person in the business, who signed Part II of the application. A carrier, whose Part II application has been denied, may request a review of the decision by submitting a written request, accompanied by any supporting documentation, to:

Manager
Customs Self-Assessment
Attention: Manager CSA Carrier Program
Canada Border Services Agency
55 Bay Street North, 6th Floor
Hamilton ON  L8R 3P7
Canada

Transfer of CSA authorization

50. CSA membership can only be transferred after a comprehensive review by the CBSA. The subsequent decision to approve or deny the request will be made at the exclusive discretion of the Agency. Any decision made is final and not subject to appeal.

51. CSA applicants or members that have/will undergo corporate amalgamation or acquisition, will need to contact the CSA Program to have their new corporate structure and program eligibility reviewed in order to be considered for continued participation in the CSA program.

Updating carrier information

52. CSA carriers are required to inform the CBSA of any corporate changes as these may impact their CSA authorization. Details regarding what changes are to be communicated to the CBSA and the timeframe within which they are to be communicated can be found in Section 2.

Participants listing

53. As a service to our clients, the CBSA publishes a listing of authorized carriers to the CSA program on the CBSA website under Import and Export, Facilitating Trade, Trade Facilitation Programs, Customs Self-Assessment Program, Carriers, and then CSA Approved Carriers.

54. The carriers listed on the CBSA website have consented to have their business name published as authorized CSA participants. The list may not include all authorized CSA carriers.

Section 2: Withdrawal, suspension, cancellation and appeals

Withdrawal

55. Carriers wishing to withdraw their application or participation from the CSA program may do so at any time. Carriers must do so by informing the CBSA officer assigned to the file in writing on business letterhead. The notice must be signed by the authorized signing officer of the business. Once the carrier has submitted the withdrawal, he or she will receive written confirmation of withdrawal from the CSA program.

56. An application or CSA authorization that has been withdrawn will not be reinstated and a full reapplication will be required in order to be reconsidered for a CSA authorization.

Suspension

57. The CBSA may suspend a CSA authorization of a CSA carrier if:

  1. the carrier no longer meets the requirements set out in the Transportation of Goods Regulations;
  2. the carrier fails to maintain its books, records and business processes and the internal controls necessary to permit the Agency to determine if the carrier is in compliance with the Act and its Regulations;
  3. the carrier fails to maintain its security;
  4. the carrier becomes insolvent;
  5. the carrier has transported goods into Canada that were released under paragraph 32(2)(b) of the Act that:
    1. were not eligible goods,
    2. were transported into Canada by a commercial highway conveyance as defined in s. 1 of the Presentation of Persons (2003) Regulations operated by a driver who did not hold an authorization under those Regulations, or
    3. were delivered somewhere other than the place of business of the CSA importer, owner or consignee to which delivery was authorized;
  6. the carrier has failed to provide the CBSA with a description of any commercial goods that:
    • the carrier transported into Canada;
    • were not released but were authorized for delivery to a place under subsection 19(1) or paragraph 32(2)(b) of the Act; and
    • were not delivered to that place within 40 days after the authorization was given.
  7. the carrier has been convicted of an offence under the Act or its regulations.
  8. the carrier fails to notify the Minister of any change in the information described in Schedule 3 of the AIGPDR at least 30 days before they occur; and/or
  9. the carrier fails to notify the CBSA immediately of the following information:
    • any changes to the importer’s name or corporate name, as the case may be, residence or business address, as the case may be, solvency or security;
    • any changes to the ownership or organizational structure of the carrier; and
    • the sale of all or part of the carrier’s business.

58. In deciding whether to suspend a CSA authorization, the following factors will be considered:

59. Once a decision has been made to suspend a CSA authorization, the carrier will be given written notice of the decision and the reasons for decision. The suspension is not effective until the earlier of either, the day on which the notice is received or the 15th day after the date on which the notice was sent by mail or courier.

60. Suspension of a CSA authorization will result in an interruption of all program-related benefits such as the use of CSA clearance and access to FAST dedicated lanes.

61. The carrier will be given an opportunity to correct the matter that gave rise to the suspension within 30 days after the suspension has taken effect. If it is not possible for the carrier to make the required correction within the 30 day period, the carrier may make a written request within those 30 days for an extension of time, providing a justification for the extension request. In these instances, the CBSA officer may administer an action plan to formally document the matter giving rise to the suspension, recommend a resolution and follow-up until such situations are corrected. For additional information regarding action plans, please refer to paragraph 248.

62. After the correction has been made, the carrier’s CSA authorization may be reinstated.

Cancellation

63. The CBSA may cancel the CSA authorization of a CSA carrier if:

  1. the authorization has been obtained on the basis of false or misleading information;
  2. the carrier no longer resides in Canada or the United States;
  3. the carrier is a partnership, and none of the partners reside in Canada or the United States;
  4. the carrier is a corporation, the carrier no longer has its head office in Canada or the United States or no longer operates a branch office in Canada or the United States;
  5. the carrier has contravened program legislation as defined in section 2 of the Canada Border Services Agency Act;
  6. the carrier has a criminal record;
  7. the carrier so requests; and/or
  8. in the case of a CSA authorization that has been suspended, the carrier has not corrected the matter that gave rise to the suspension within the established timeframes.

64. In deciding whether to cancel a CSA authorization, the following factors will be considered:

  1. the severity of the breach and whether or not it was rectified soon after it was discovered;
  2. the economic impact of the suspension or the cancellation; and
  3. the security and safety of Canadians.

65. Once a decision has been made to cancel a CSA authorization, the carrier will be given written notice of the decision and the reasons for decision. The cancellation is not effective until the earlier of either, the day on which the notice is received or the 15th day after the date on which the notice was sent by mail or courier.

66. Cancellation of a CSA authorization will result in a cessation of all CSA program-related benefits including the use of CSA clearance and access to FAST dedicated lanes. If the carrier’s name appears on the CSA approved carriers list on the CBSA’s website, it will be removed.

Appeals

67. An applicant or member that disagrees with a cancellation decision by the CBSA may submit an appeal electronically to: CBSA.Trusted_Trader-Negociants_dignes.ASFC@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

68. In order to be considered, the written submissions must:

  1. be submitted within 30 calendar days from the effective date of the decision being appealed;
  2. clearly state the carrier’s business name, mailing address and the reason(s) for appeal; and
  3. include any supporting documentation.

69. The carrier’s ‘cancelled’ status will remain in effect throughout the duration of the appeal period. No further administration of the carrier’s file will occur until a decision has been rendered.

70. If an appeal to cancel a CSA authorization is allowed, then either the authorization will be reinstated, or the carrier will be placed under suspension for a specified duration pending corrective action. Conversely, if an appeal to cancel a CSA authorization is denied, then the cancellation of the CSA authorization will remain in effect. For information relating to the effect of a cancellation of a CSA authorization, please refer to paragraph 64.

71. The CBSA will render a decision and a letter of notification will be sent to the applicant/member within 30 business days of receipt of the appeal. The letter will state the CBSA’s decision and specify an effective date. All appeal decisions rendered by the CBSA are final.

Reapplication following denial or cancellation

72. A moratorium on reapplication following a denial or cancellation decision may be imposed at the discretion of the CSA program depending on the reason(s) for denial or cancellation.

73. The CSA program reserves the right to specify reapplication timeframes on a case-by-case basis, and to disallow reapplication indefinitely when merited.

Section 3: Reporting and clearance

General overview of CSA clearance

74. The process used for CSA clearance is similar to an in-bond movement, except that the goods may be delivered directly to the importer, owner or consignee. While the obligation to report goods under section 12(1) of the Act is not altered under the CSA program, the related specific reporting requirements are changed to support the streamlined CSA clearance process.  Under CSA clearance, commercial goods are reported to the CBSA at the first point of arrival, where they may be “authorized for delivery” by the CBSA. The CSA carrier who reports goods to the CBSA for authorization to deliver is liable for payment of duties and taxes, until the goods are delivered to the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee. Intermediary locations, as designated by the CSA importer, constitute a consignee. Release will occur at these locations and the release date will be the date the goods were received at the intermediary location. To remove liability, the reporting carrier must ensure that proof of delivery is obtained and kept on hand for CBSA verification.

75. A distinctive feature of the CSA program is that cargo documents are not required to clear CSA shipments. However, when requested by a border services officer, the reporting CSA carrier must provide satisfactory evidence concerning the discharge of goods imported into Canada. The CSA carrier is required to have the records, systems, audit trails and linkages in place to support the CSA process.

76. Where commercial goods are reported to the CBSA for authorization to deliver under the CSA clearance process the following conditions apply:

77. Carriers and importers who are authorized under the CSA program have demonstrated that they are low-risk clients. The CSA carrier provides the following data elements at the border in order to validate all elements. These data elements are  electronically verified by the CBSA at the Primary Inspection Line (PIL) to obtain CSA clearance:

Note: Where this information is valid, the carrier may be authorized to deliver the CSA shipment. A transaction number is not required.

78. The intent of CSA clearance is to facilitate the direct delivery of eligible goods to the importer, owner or consignee. The focus is on expedited border reporting and processing at PIL.

79. Given that interim accounting is not required as a condition for release in the CSA environment, a release package is not required for goods reported under CSA clearance. Nevertheless, the CSA carrier is required to have supporting transportation documents on hand at the time of report. These documents are not required for presentation, unless requested by a border services officer to confirm information such as:

80. Given that some goods may not be eligible for CSA clearance (e.g. subject to Other Government Department (OGD) requirements or shipped to Canada from outside the United States or Mexico), the importer is advised to have a process in place to inform the CSA carrier in writing or electronically which goods will be reported under CSA. The option used to report goods to the CBSA affects the related reporting requirements and the liability of the carrier.

81. Goods that are not eligible for CSA clearance must be reported to the CBSA via eManifest and released via PARS, RMD, etc. or move inland in bond. See Memorandum, D3-1-1, Policy respecting the Importation and Transportation of Goods. The requirements for these reporting options are not changed as a result of the importer being authorized under the CSA program, as indicated in Memorandum D17-1-4, Release of Commercial Goods.

82. The carrier must provide CSA importers, or their designated broker(s), with documentation containing sufficient information to facilitate the importers’ accounting obligations to the CBSA. The carrier, at the final destination, must obtain proof of delivery to close the contract to deliver the shipment. Once the carrier has proof of delivery, transfer of liability for duties and taxes is with the importer and/or consignee.

Place of shipment

83. To be eligible for CSA clearance, goods must be shipped directly to Canada from within the U.S. or Mexico as noted on the carrier’s through bill of lading. For purposes of determining the eligibility of goods for CSA clearance, the “United States” means the 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

84. Goods that enter a US FTZ are also eligible for CSA clearance as long as the goods coming from offshore, have either been stored (in the same condition) or processed in a FTZ. However, goods that simply transit through and are neither held in storage or have further processing are not eligible for CSA clearance.

Authorized to deliver

85. Under CSA clearance, commercial goods are reported to the CBSA at the first point of arrival, where they may be “authorized for delivery” by the CBSA. A CSA clearance is not considered a true release but is instead used to request the “authority to deliver” eligible commercial goods that are imported by an importer who is authorized under the CSA program.  It is derived from the release prior to accounting provision under paragraph 32(2)(b) of the Customs Act:

(2) In prescribed circumstances and under prescribed conditions, goods may be released prior to the accounting required under subsection (1) if

(b) the goods have been authorized by an officer or by any prescribed means for delivery to, and have been received at, the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee of the goods.

86. Intermediary locations, as designated by the CBSA importer, constitute a consignee. Release will occur at these locations and the release date will be the date the goods were received at the intermediary location.

Meaning of CSA “release”

87. In the context of a CSA clearance, under section 2 of the Act “release” means;

“(b) in respect of goods to which paragraph 32(2)(b) applies, to receive the goods at the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee;”

88. This applies to eligible goods that are authorized for delivery to, and have been received at, the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee. Thus, release occurs on the date of delivery.

Carrier liability

89. Where goods are reported under CSA clearance for authority to deliver, the carrier is liable for duties and taxes until the goods are delivered to the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee, or otherwise discharged under the provisions of subsection 20(2.1) of the Act. To remove liability, the reporting carrier must ensure that proof of delivery is obtained and kept on hand for CBSA verification.

Authorized carrier

90. To obtain authorization under the CSA program, the carrier must apply to the CBSA, as described in Section 1 of this memorandum. Only authorized carriers may transport eligible goods into Canada and report those goods under a CSA clearance option for authority to deliver before release. In highway mode, the driver must have authorization under a driver registration program such as CDRP or FAST.

91. There are two situations in which the authorized CSA carrier may use a contracted carrier to transport CSA goods into Canada. These are:

Owner-operators (Highway)

92. The authorized CSA carrier may use an owner-operator to report goods using CSA clearance. The owner-operator does not need to be an authorized CSA carrier to transport a CSA eligible shipment. As indicated in Memorandum D3-4-2, Highway Pre-Arrival and Reporting Requirements, there is no longer a need for an authorization letter however when requested the onus will be on the driver to prove that they are under exclusive contract with the carrier whose carrier code is presented. Where the authorized CSA carrier uses an owner-operator to transport goods into Canada under CSA clearance, the carrier code of the authorized CSA carrier must be presented to the Border Security Officer (BSO) in bar code format.

93. Under the CSA program, the definition of owner-operator specifically corresponds to the following description:

Owner-operator - A person who owns and operates transportation equipment, and has a written contract to provide equipment exclusively to a CSA carrier.

94. Owner-operators meeting this definition are considered to be an extension of the authorized CSA carrier as shown in the following examples:

95. The authorized CSA highway carrier may use an owner-operator to report goods using CSA clearance when:

96. Upon request of the BSO, the owner-operator must be able to provide proof of the relationship. Owner-Operators should consult Memorandum D3-4-2, Highway Pre-Arrival and Reporting Requirements, in order to determine the requirements for proof of this relationship. The BSO is to scan only the carrier code of the authorized CSA carrier into the CBSA’s system.

Secondary CSA carrier

97. To report goods under CSA clearance, CSA carriers may authorize only another CSA-authorized carrier to use their carrier code. There is no longer a need for a letter of authorization however the BSO may request proof of the relationship with the primary carrier upon arrival at First Point of Arrival (FPOA). For additional information regarding the existence of a contractual agreement please see Memorandum D3-4-2, Highway Pre-Arrival and Reporting Requirements.

The following guideline applies to the use of secondary carriers:

The carrier code of the CSA carrier who assumes liability for the goods, the primary CSA carrier, is presented in bar code format as the primary carrier code. Regardless of who transports the goods into Canada, the primary carrier maintains liability for duties and taxes until the goods are delivered to the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee. The carrier code of the subcontracted CSA carrier, the secondary CSA carrier, who transports the goods into Canada on behalf of the primary CSA carrier, must also be presented in bar code format as the secondary carrier code.

98. The primary and secondary carriers must both be CSA-approved for the secondary carrier to report CSA goods on behalf of the primary CSA carrier. If the goods are reported as CSA eligible and the secondary carrier is not an authorized CSA carrier, the primary carrier will be required to use another clearance process.

99. The BSO should scan both CSA approved carrier bar codes into the CBSA’s system. The Secondary Carrier’s bar code should be scanned into the CBSA’s system in the designated Secondary Carrier field.

100. Within Canada, the CSA shipment may be transferred to a domestic carrier that is not CSA approved for furtherance to the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee. Given that the inland movement is like an in-bond movement, the primary carrier is responsible for maintaining the books and records for each shipment and remains responsible for the duties and taxes, regardless of the inland transfer to other carriers. Therefore, although the CSA goods are transferred, the reporting CSA carrier is still required to provide ultimate proof of delivery to the importer, owner or consignee when requested by the CBSA.

Eligible goods

101. CSA-eligible goods are defined under section 2 of the AIGPDR as:
“…commercial goods that have been shipped directly from the United States or Mexico and for which there is no requirement under any Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province or any regulation made under such an Act that a permit, license or other similar document be provided to the Agency before the goods are released.”

102. CSA importers are responsible for identifying to their shippers and vendors which products are eligible for CSA clearance. CSA importers must also confirm with their CSA carrier which shipments qualify for CSA clearance.

103. CSA-eligible goods exclude goods that are a prohibited, controlled or regulated import into Canada, in accordance with the provisions of an Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province, as well as the regulations made in accordance with any Act, that prohibits, controls or regulates their importation, i.e. subject to regulation by OGDs.

104. While most OGD requirements must generally be met before the release of goods, a CSA importer may enter into an agreement with an OGD that allows the importer to provide OGD requirements after importation. Where the CSA importer has made such an agreement, the related goods may qualify for CSA clearance. In exceptional cases, the CSA importer may enter into an agreement with an OGD to waive normal release requirements until after the goods have entered Canada. Such agreements will be flagged in the CBSA’s systems and the carrier should have written instructions regarding the eligibility of the goods from the importer.

105. The goods must also be shipped directly to Canada from within the United States or Mexico as noted on the carrier’s bill of lading. Goods that are shipped to Canada through the United States from a third country other than Mexico are not eligible for CSA clearance (i.e. in-transit shipments).

106. Where the CSA carrier reports ineligible goods for clearance under a CSA clearance option, the carrier may be assessed a penalty. In cases where written evidence is found to substantiate that the importer instructed the carrier to report the ineligible goods under a CSA clearance option, the penalty may be assessed against the importer. Separate penalties may apply where a secondary carrier is not an authorized CSA carrier or the driver does not hold CDRP or FAST authorization.

FAST eligibility

107. Vehicles carrying qualifying goods can use dedicated FAST lanes and booths when entering Canada at certain highway ports of entry.

108. Goods that qualify for CSA clearance option, may access the FAST lanes on the conditions that the importer and carrier are both members of the PIP program or the CSA and PIP programs, and that the driver is authorized under the CDRP or FAST driver registration programs.

109. Goods that do not qualify for CSA clearance option, may still access the FAST lanes on the conditions that the importer and carrier are both members of CSA and/or PIP, the driver is authorized under the CDRP or FAST driver registration programs, and the cargo and conveyance information has been transmitted to the CBSA in advance of arrival.

110. Goods in the FAST lane not using the CSA clearance option are subject to all standard commercial processing and regulations.

111. CSA or PIP importers are responsible for identifying to their carriers which shipments qualify for FAST lane access.

Border verification

112. The CBSA reserves the right to examine shipments and conveyances that enter Canada. Occasionally, the CBSA may refer a CSA shipment for verification activities such as:

Documentation review

113. Documentation reviews may be performed by the CBSA before CSA goods receive authority to deliver to verify the eligibility of the goods reported under a CSA clearance option. The CBSA may put the request to the CSA carrier or the CSA importer. The documentation review is intended to verify whether the goods reported under the CSA program are prohibited, controlled or regulated, and whether the goods were shipped to Canada from the United States or from Mexico, are imported by an approved importer and are destined for an approved consignee location. Examples of the types of documents that might be requested for review are the bill of lading, the carrier pro-bill or shipping manifests.

114. To assess risk for admissibility or eligibility for CSA clearance, the following types of information might be requested:

115. When the carrier fails to provide the information requested by a border services officer to make a determination for admissibility or CSA eligibility, another means of report and release such as eManifest, PARS, RMD, etc. must be completed. The goods will not be permitted to move past FPOA until these requirements have been met.

116. The following subsections of this memorandum describe the requirements of the CSA clearance options used to report goods for “authority to deliver” before release.

eManifest requirements

117. Shipments that are eligible for CSA clearance are exempt from transmitting the requirements for advance commercial information of cargo and conveyance data. Dependent on mode of transport, authorized CSA carriers may present the required bar codes in paper format at FPOA. However, the conditions as outlined in the Chapter 4: Advance Commercial Information (ACI/eManifest) Electronic Commercial Client Requirements Document (ECCRD) applies to all cargo and conveyance data transmitted electronically. Where there is a mixed load of both exempt and non-exempt cargo, clients will be required to send conveyance data as well as data for non-exempt cargo. The ECCRD is available by contacting the CBSA TTCU at 1-888-957-7224.

CSA reporting requirements

118. Goods that enter Canada are reported to the CBSA for authority to deliver. The report may be provided by Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) or paper format. When the report is provided in paper format, the CSA reporting requirements are minimal. Presentation of a cargo control document is not required when goods are reported under CSA clearance.

119. Under CSA clearance, presentation of the CSA-approved carrier’s bar code together with the CSA-approved importer’s bar code, either individually or on a lead sheet, represents a written report of CSA goods. Failure to report goods under CSA clearance using the required bar codes may result in a penalty. Appendix B of this memorandum provides information on the non-EDI bar code CSA specifications and testing requirements. Bar code testing is mandatory in Part II of the application process. The bar code specifications for EDI carriers are in Appendix C.

Paper reporting

Highway

120. Goods entering Canada by highway must be reported to the CBSA for authority to deliver at the FPOA. Goods travelling on an air transport document and travelling to Canada by truck (“flying trucks”), must meet the same requirements for CSA clearance (CSA importer, CSA carrier, FAST/CDRP driver) at the first point of arrival – CSA clearance cannot be requested inland. A cargo control document is not required however the carrier must always have supporting documentation on board.

Data requirements

121. Bar codes must be scanned in the formats indicated. For information regarding electronic arrival for highway carriers, please refer to paragraph 160.

Single CSA importer – Single CSA shipment

122. The following mandatory information is required for the Authority to deliver eligible goods under CSA Highway Paper:

Reporting requirements:

Single CSA importer – Multiple CSA shipments

123. Where a carrier has more than one shipment aboard a conveyance for the same approved importer, only one bar code is required for that importer’s BN. The reporting requirements for goods going to a single importer are the same, whether there is one or multiple CSA shipments in the conveyance for that importer.

Reporting requirements:

Multiple CSA importers – Multiple CSA shipments

124. Where a CSA carrier has CSA shipments for multiple importers in the same conveyance, a separate BN bar code is required for each CSA importer at the time of report. The carrier bar code and the driver registration card need be presented once only. For example:

Reporting requirements:

Note: Each importer will be processed as a separate passage.

Mixed loads (CSA with non-CSA)

125. A conveyance that contains goods for CSA clearance may also include goods that are not eligible for CSA clearance. In this case, the fundamental requirements for goods that are reported under CSA clearance – CSA carrier, CSA importer, registered driver – are not waived.

126. Goods aboard a conveyance that are ineligible for CSA clearance require advanced electronic cargo and conveyance data transmission regardless of the release option (i.e. PARS, RMD) being used to clear the goods. Goods being reported in the regular commercial lanes in the case of a mixed load (CSA and non-CSA) have the choice of including the CSA cargo in the advance electronic cargo and conveyance data transmission or only transmitting the advance data for the non-CSA cargo in addition to presenting the three (3) CSA bar codes for the CSA goods. For information regarding the electronic transmission of cargo and conveyance information consult Memorandum D3-4-2,Highway Pre-arrival and Reporting Requirements.

Use of a secondary CSA carrier

127. Where an authorized CSA carrier subcontracts another authorized CSA carrier to report goods under CSA clearance, the carrier code of the secondary CSA carrier is also required in bar code format, in addition to the carrier code of the primary CSA carrier. For additional information regarding secondary carriers, see paragraph 98.

Reporting requirements:

Tracking shipments

128. Carriers who have Release Notification System (RNS) or eManifest notices capability may trace their shipments transported into Canada, through RNS or eManifest by providing a cargo control number (CCN), which is also referred to as a transport document number (TDN), as a shipment identifier. Where provided, the shipment identifier must be in bar code format and a separate bar code number is required for each shipment for which the carrier requires an RNS or eManifest message. When CSA carriers present a bar code shipment identifier at the time of report, the CSA carrier will receive an authority to deliver message for each shipment reported under CSA clearance.

129. The number used as a shipment identifier is to be unique for three years, plus the current year, and consist of no more than 25 characters with the first four characters being the carrier code of the authorized CSA carrier. Given that the carrier code of the CSA carrier is included as the first four characters of the bar code of the CCN/TDN, a separate carrier bar code is not required. To receive the RNS or eManifest message authorizing to deliver for individual shipments, the following must be provided in the format noted below:

Reporting requirements:

130. Where shipments for more than one CSA importer are reported under CSA clearance, the presentation of CCN/TDN identification numbers should be grouped by CSA importer numbers. The CADEX system produces a Notification of Release Report, using the transaction number as a key field clients need to remember. Therefore the CSA importer will not receive notification of release for CSA shipments, as the key field for identification of the release is the CCN/TDN. The systems that report the CSA shipment status are RNS and eManifest.

131. Where the CSA carrier chooses to include the CCN/TDN information, a CSA reference may be included in the bar code as a means of distinguishing CSA and non-CSA reports. Where the bars for CSA are included in the bar code, they constitute part of the 25 allowable characters, and the word CSA may also be printed on the bar code. For example:

XXXXCSA890123456789012345

Carrier code assigned, CSA reference, remaining carrier CNN/TDN characters

132. It should be noted that the CSA carrier must not use a PARS bar code for CSA shipments.

Facilitated clearance at PIL

Service option (SO) code

133. To facilitate clearance of the CSA shipment in highway mode, the CSA reporting carrier has the option of presenting the CSA service option code, 00497 (five digits with leading zeros required), in bar code format on the lead sheet, as part of the information to be scanned into the CBSA’s system at the time of report. Where the CSA carrier does not provide the service option code, a border services officer will input the code at PIL. Where the carrier provides the service option, it should be the first bar code presented:

Reporting requirements with SO:

Means of presenting bar codes

134. While not a requirement, it is suggested that the use of a lead sheet with the appropriate bar codes attached will facilitate processing at the PIL. Other means of presenting the bar code information could be by having laminated bar codes or having the bar code information printed on commercial documents carried by the driver. The CSA lead sheet is used to report goods for authority to deliver. Regardless of which option is used, a CSA identifier is to be used.

Passage history

135. The CSA clearance process is based on pre-approval of the importer, carrier and driver. The status of each of these participants is captured in the CBSA’s system for validation. When a carrier arrives at the border and reports goods for authority to deliver, the CSA clearance process requires that the status of each participant be validated. Upon validation that all three participants are authorized, the goods are authorized for delivery.

136. In the CSA paper-highway clearance, cargo information is not required or captured. Instead, a passage history is captured for each cross-border report of goods under CSA clearance. This report consists of the carrier code, importer BN, driver registration number, date, time, and CBSA port of entry into Canada.

137. Given that real-time automated support is required to validate the status of the importer, carrier and driver before goods are authorized for delivery, and to capture the passage history, CSA clearance is not available at CBSA non-terminal offices (NTOs) or inland.

138. Bar codes must be scanned in the formats indicated under each service option. For information regarding EDI arrival for highway carriers, please see paragraph 160.

Air, rail, marine

139. CSA clearance is available for eligible goods when entering Canada by authorized CSA air, rail or marine carriers. The reporting process and requirements for these modes are similar to highway mode. The carrier can obtain “authority to deliver” the goods upon presentation of the required bar codes. A cargo control document is not required; however, the carrier must always have supporting documentation on board.

Data requirements

140. Bar codes must be scanned in the formats indicated. For information regarding electronic arrival for air, rail and marine carriers, please refer to paragraph 179.

Single CSA importer – Single CSA shipment

141. The following mandatory information is required for the authority to deliver for CSA-eligible goods under Service Option (SO) 521, CSA Air, Rail, Marine paper:

Reporting requirements:

Single CSA importer – Multiple CSA shipments

142. Where a CSA importer has more than one shipment aboard a conveyance for CSA clearance, only one bar code for that importer’s BN is required. The reporting requirements for goods going to a single importer are the same, whether there is one or multiple CSA shipments in the conveyance for that importer.

Reporting requirements:

Multiple CSA importers – Multiple CSA shipments

143. Where a CSA carrier has CSA shipments for multiple importers in the same conveyance, a separate BN bar code is required for each CSA importer at the time of report. The carrier bar code need be presented once only. For example:

Reporting requirements:

Mixed loads (CSA with non-CSA – less than truckload)

144. A conveyance that contains goods for CSA clearance may also include goods that are not eligible for CSA clearance. In this case, the fundamental requirements for goods that are reported under CSA clearance – CSA carrier, CSA importer – are not waived.

145. Goods aboard a conveyance that are not eligible for CSA clearance require advanced reporting as per eManifest guidelines and must use an existing means of report and release such as eManifest, PARS, RMD. The goods will not be permitted to move past FPOA until these requirements have been met.

Use of a secondary carrier

146. Should the authorized CSA carrier use another CSA carrier to transport goods into Canada using CSA clearance, the bar code carrier code of the secondary carrier is mandatory. In this case, the mandatory bar codes are:

Minimum reporting requirements:

147. Crew members are subject to the normal reporting requirements of the mode by which they enter Canada. However, crews do not have to be authorized under the FAST driver program or the CDRP as a condition for reporting goods under CSA clearance for authority to deliver unless operating in Highway mode.

Tracking shipments

148. Carriers who have RNS or eManifest notice capability may trace their shipments transported into Canada by providing a CCN, also referred to as a TDN, as a shipment identifier. Where provided, the shipment identifier must be in bar code format and a separate bar code number is required for each shipment for which the carrier requires an RNS or eManifest message. When CSA carriers present a bar code shipment identifier at the time of report, they will receive an authority to deliver message for each shipment reported under CSA clearance.

149. The number used as a shipment identifier is to be unique for three years, plus the current year, and consist of no more than 25 characters with the first four characters being the carrier code of the authorized CSA carrier. Given that the carrier code of the CSA carrier is included as the first four characters of the bar code of the CCN/TDN, a separate carrier bar code is not required. To receive the RNS or eManifest notice with the authority to deliver for individual shipments, the following must be provided in the format noted below:

Reporting requirements:

150. Where shipments for more than one CSA importer are reported under CSA clearance, the presentation of CCN/TDN identification numbers should be grouped by CSA importer numbers. Given that a transaction number is not captured, the RNS or eManifest notice is not transmitted to CADEX participants. Therefore the CSA importer will not receive notification of release for CSA shipments, as the key field for identification of the release is the CCN/TDN.

Facilitated clearance at PIL

Means of presenting bar codes

151. To facilitate processing by the CBSA, it is advisable, but not mandatory, to submit the bar code information on a CSA lead sheet. Where the carrier has prepared cargo control documents (CCDs) for CSA shipments aboard the conveyance, the CCDs may also be attached to the bar code information and/or lead sheet. An optional bar code to identify the service option (00521 – five digits with leading zeros) may be provided by the carrier to expedite the CSA clearance process.

Reporting requirements with service option:

152. When the bar code information is presented to the CBSA, it is input into the CBSA’s system and the border services officer will render a decision either to authorize delivery of the goods or to refer the shipment. Where a TDN or CCN is presented and the goods are authorized for delivery, an RNS message will be generated to the carrier. Given that a transaction number is not presented at time of report, the importer will not receive the message via the CADEX Notification of Release Report.

153. The CSA bar code report, including the three mandatory data elements, is presented to the CBSA at the following places, according to mode:

Examination of freight

154. Examination may occur at the border, or inland at the carrier’s sufferance warehouse in the case of mixed loads. In all cases, the CBSA determines when an examination is necessary and where it will be conducted.

Passage history

155. The CSA clearance process in non-highway modes is based on pre-approval of the importer and carrier. The status of each of these participants is captured in CBSA’s system for validation. When a carrier arrives and reports goods for authority to deliver, the CSA clearance process requires the status of each participant to be validated. Upon validation that all participants are authorized, the goods are authorized for delivery.

156. Given that real-time automated support is required to validate the status of the importer and carrier before goods are authorized for delivery, and to capture passage history, CSA clearance is not available at CBSA NTOs or inland.

Electronic transmission

157. All carriers must transmit in advance electronically cargo and conveyance reports as required in the Transportation of Imported Goods Regulations according to the time frames established by the mode of transport. CSA carriers are exempt from transmitting electronically when all conditions for CSA clearance are fulfilled. Authorized CSA carriers may present the required bar codes dependent on mode of transport in paper format at FPOA.

158. As with all CSA clearance options, where the conveyance contains goods that are reported to the CBSA for authority to deliver, the carrier and the importer must be authorized CSA clients and the goods must be eligible. However, CSA-approved carriers may also transmit their CSA report electronically to the CBSA for authorization to deliver CSA eligible goods if they choose. Refer to the ECCRDs Chapter 18: Customs Self Assessment (CSA) Carrier and Chapter 7: Advance Commercial Information (ACI) / eManifest Highway Portal for information about the required data elements, message maps and code tables.

159. The conditions as outlined in the ECCRD apply to all cargo and conveyance data transmitted electronically. Where there is a mixed load of both exempt and non-exempt cargo, clients will be required to send conveyance data as well as data for non-exempt cargo. The ECCRD is available by contacting the CBSA TCCU at 1-888-957-7224 or by email at tccu-ustcc@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.

Highway

160. Transmission of electronic highway cargo and conveyance reports must be received and processed by the CBSA at least one hour before reaching the FPOA. Electronic highway cargo and conveyance reports may be presented up to 30 days before arrival. However, if the cargo is not used after 30 days, the cargo data must either be resubmitted, or cancelled by the carrier. For additional information please see Memorandum D3-4-2, Highway Pre-arrival and Reporting Requirements.

161. Highway carriers using EDI to submit reporting information to the CBSA must transmit two interrelated reports:

Cargo report (pre-arrival)

162. The EDI highway cargo report A8A provides details for each shipment on the conveyance, and consists of information similar to the hard copy Form A8A, Cargo Control Document, with the addition of CSA specific elements such as the BN of the authorized CSA importer. A complete list of data elements required to be transmitted to the CBSA as part of the EDI cargo report can be found chapter 18 of the ECCRD, CSA PRD for Carriers message maps.

Conveyance report (pre-arrival)

163. The conveyance report not only provides details about the conveyance itself, but is also used to list all related cargo. See Appendix E for a table demonstrating how the A8A Cargo Reports link to the A9 Highway Conveyance Report.

164. In the EDI environment, at least one cargo report number must be listed on the related conveyance report. A maximum of 2000 cargo report numbers can be listed on a single conveyance report. If even one cargo report related to the conveyance report contains a discrepancy, the entire conveyance report will be rejected.

Border report

165. When the corresponding cargo and conveyance reports have been transmitted using EDI and accepted by the CBSA, it is mandatory that the driver provide the following information in bar code format at the PIL when the conveyance arrives at the border:

Reporting requirements:

166. The conveyance report number is to be the same as the conveyance number used to identify the EDI conveyance report with the carrier code as the first four characters.

Mixed loads (less than truckload)

167. An authorized EDI CSA carrier may report all goods aboard a conveyance electronically. Non-CSA goods that are not released at the FPOA may proceed to a licensed special operating (SO) warehouse or another sufferance warehouse pending release. The carrier is not required to have CSA goods aboard the conveyance to benefit from the inland movement to the SO warehouse.

168. Where a conveyance arrives at the PIL and contains a shipment for which a PARS report is in an invalid status (commonly referred to as “failed PARS”), that shipment may, at the carrier’s request, be allowed to proceed to the carrier’s SO warehouse. Although no further documentation is required, the CBSA must make a manual port code change at the frontier for the conveyance to proceed.

169. Non-CSA goods not released at the FPOA must be electronically arrived at the SO warehouse. Upon receipt of an RNS message, the goods may be delivered. Should a shipment be referred for examination, the goods must be backhauled to the highway sufferance warehouse or other designated facility. Goods that are authorized for delivery at the frontier CBSA office may be delivered en route to the CSA carrier’s SO warehouse.

Use of a secondary carrier

170. When primary CSA carriers use a secondary carrier to transport goods on their behalf, the carrier code of the secondary carrier is also required in bar code format. All other rules pertaining to secondary carriers apply. For additional information regarding secondary carriers, see paragraph 98.

171. For an overview of EDI scenarios, refer to Appendix A.

Tracking shipments

172. Carriers who have RNS or eManifest notice capability may trace their shipments transported into Canada, by providing a CCN, which is also referred to as a TDN, as a shipment identifier. Where provided, the shipment identifier must be in bar code format. A separate bar code number is required for each shipment for which the carrier requires an RNS or eManifest message. When CSA carriers present a bar code shipment identifier at the time of report, they will receive an authorized for delivery message for each shipment reported under CSA clearance.

173. The number used as a shipment identifier is to be unique for three years, plus the current year, and consist of no more than 25 characters with the first four characters being the carrier code of the authorized CSA carrier. Given that the carrier code of the CSA carrier is included as the first four characters of the bar code of the CCN/TDN, a separate carrier bar code is not required. To receive the RNS message authority to deliver for individual shipments, the following must be provided in the format noted below:

Reporting requirements:

174. Where shipments for more than one CSA importer are reported under CSA clearance, the presentation of CCN/TDN identification numbers should be grouped by CSA importer numbers. Given that a transaction number is not captured, the RNS message is not transmitted to CADEX participants.

Facilitated clearance at PIL

Means of presenting bar codes

175. It is mandatory to submit the bar code information on a CSA lead sheet. The CSA lead sheet must be approved by a CBSA officer before CSA approval.

Examination of freight

176. Examination may occur at the border, or inland at the carrier’s sufferance warehouse in the case of mixed loads. In all cases, the CBSA determines when an examination is necessary and where it will be conducted. Carriers may be required to backhaul cargo to a central examination facility.

Passage history

177. The CSA clearance process is based on pre-approval of the importer, carrier and driver. The status of each of these participants is captured in CBSA’s system for validation. When a carrier arrives at the border and reports goods for authority to deliver, the CSA clearance process requires the status of each participant to be validated. Upon validation that all three participants are authorized, the goods are authorized for delivery.

178. Given that real-time automated support is required to validate the status of the importer, carrier and driver before goods are authorized for delivery, and to capture passage history, CSA clearance is not available at CBSA NTOs or inland.

Air and marine

179. CSA-authorized carriers in air and marine modes may use the RNS arrival message both to affect CSA clearance and to “arrive” the shipment electronically. In air mode, the transmission of cargo and conveyance reports must be received and processed by the CBSA once the plane is “wheels up.” In marine mode, the transmission of cargo and conveyance reports must be received and processed by the CBSA a minimum of 24 hours before reaching the first point of arrival. Cargo and conveyance reports may be presented up to 30 days before arrival. However, if the cargo is not used after 30 days, the cargo data must either be resubmitted or cancelled by the carrier.

180. The RNS arrival message includes:

181. Periodically, these requests for CSA clearance will be subject to a random documentation review whereby the carrier will be required to provide a copy of the commercial documentation (bill of lading/manifest) to affect clearance. Otherwise, an authority to deliver message will be returned. For example, once an aircraft is “wheels up,” the carrier transmits the CSA arrival message. The system processes the request and returns a reject, refer or “authority to deliver” message to the participant.

182. As a transaction number is not transmitted with the request, CADEX participants will not receive electronic notification of goods authorized for delivery. For additional information about the CSA RNS arrival message, refer to the CSA PRD for Carriers, chapter 18 of the ECCRD. The CSA PRD for Carriers is available by contacting the CBSA’s TCCU at 1-888-957-7224.

183. Details of the EDI 931 arrival message can be found in section 2.8 of the CSA PRD for Carriers, a chapter of the ECCRD.

Rail

184. Where a rail carrier transports goods reported under CSA clearance into Canada, the goods may be reported using the CSA non-highway paper option. Alternatively, rail carriers may report the goods for automated authority to deliver for CSA clearance by transmitting electronically via eManifest as described in Memorandum D3-6-6, Rail – Pre-arrival and Reporting Requirements. For information about the CSA EDI requirements and message maps, refer to the CSA PRD for Carriers, chapter 18 of the ECCRD including Appendix C, EDI Message Maps and Code Tables. Transmission of the cargo information for CSA goods is the same as for non-CSA goods with the exception of the following two record formats:

185. Where rail shipments of CSA goods have arrived, the transmitted RNS message is linked to the CCN or TDN of the CSA shipment and will read authority to deliver, when the goods are not referred for examination.

Tracking shipments

186. Carriers having RNS capability may trace their shipments transported into Canada, through RNS by providing a CCN, which is also referred to as a TDN, as a shipment identifier. Where provided, the shipment identifier must be in bar code format. A separate bar code number is required for each shipment for which the carrier requires an RNS message. When CSA carriers present a bar code shipment identifier at the time of report, they will receive an authority to deliver message for each shipment reported under CSA clearance.

187. The number used as a shipment identifier is to be unique for three years, and consist of no more than 25 characters with the first four characters being the carrier code of the authorized CSA carrier. Given that the carrier code of the CSA carrier is included as the first four characters of the bar code of the CCN/TDN, a separate carrier bar code is not required. To receive the RNS message authority to deliver for individual shipments, the following must be provided in the format noted below:

Reporting requirements:

188. Where shipments for more than one CSA importer are reported under CSA clearance, the presentation of CCN/TDN identification numbers should be grouped by CSA importer numbers.

Facilitated clearance at PIL

Examination of freight

189. Examination may occur at the border, or inland at the carrier’s sufferance warehouse in the case of mixed loads. In all cases, the CBSA determines when an examination is necessary and where it will be conducted.

Passage history

190. The CSA clearance process in non-highway modes is based on pre-approval of the importer and carrier. The status of each of these participants is captured in CBSA’s system for validation. When a CSA carrier arrives and reports goods for authority to deliver, the CSA clearance process requires the status of each participant to be validated. Upon validation that all participants are authorized, the goods are authorized for delivery.

191. Given that real-time automated support is required to validate the status of the importer and carrier before goods are authorized to deliver, and to capture passage history, CSA clearance is not available at CBSA NTOs.

Combined electronic and paper reporting

192. Carriers may, on occasion, be required to report goods via both paper and electronically. This situation occurs most frequently in highway mode.

Highway

193. The driver must present a paper manifest to the CBSA to report cargo in the event that the cargo is not electronically linked to a conveyance.

194. For all paper processes, the driver will make the initial declaration at the PIL, then report inside to the CBSA office and present the lead sheet and the paper release requests. The CBSA will first process the conveyance bar code, then the paper release requests (e.g. E29B, OIC, Value Included Entries, and ETA).

195. This manner of reporting must be at the primary office, not at the PIL booth.

196. A mix of non-CSA shipments reported electronically may use the process above in addition to presenting paper lead sheets for CSA. It is at the officer's discretion to process both the electronic shipments and the paper report of CSA shipments at the PIL. Should the border services officer determine that the processing of both types of clearances at the PIL would take too long; the driver will be referred to the front counter at the frontier office.

Systems outages

CBSA unplanned outage

197. The CBSA System Outage Contingency Plan sets out the procedures for importing commercial goods in the event of a full CBSA system outage in all modes. This contingency plan as well as Summary Outage Sheets (SOS) for each mode can be found on the CBSA. Clients may contact the TCCU at 1-888-957-7224 for additional clarification.

Section 4: Transportation of goods

198. To transport goods into Canada that are reported to the CBSA under CSA clearance, the carrier must hold an authorization issued by the CBSA. Details on how to apply for authorization as a CSA carrier are provided in Section 1 of this memorandum.

199. Under the CSA program, the requirement to report goods to the CBSA in accordance with section 12 of the Act does not change. A fundamental feature of the CSA program, however, is that once CSA eligible goods are reported, they are authorized for delivery by the CBSA, and may be delivered directly to the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee before release occurs. Release of goods authorized for delivery, as described under subsection 2(1) of the Act means, “to receive the goods at the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee.” Intermediary locations, as designated by the CSA importer, constitute a consignee. Release will occur at these locations and the release date will be the date the goods were received at the intermediary location. The consignee is required to provide Proof of Delivery to the carrier.

Conditions for authorization to deliver

200. The following conditions must be met for authority to deliver:

201. Where a condition for CSA clearance cannot be met, for example, the importer, carrier or driver is not authorized, or the goods are not eligible, the goods must be reported and released using an existing alternate option such as RMD or the PARS.

Authority to deliver

202. The legislative keystone of the CSA program is subsection 32(2)(b) of the Act, which allows for the release of goods before accounting, when those goods have been authorized for delivery to, and have been received at, the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee.

203. The influence of subsections 32(2)(b) and 2(1) of the Act is that the CSA importer is not required to provide accounting or interim accounting for the release of imported goods authorized for delivery. Instead, goods are reported by the carrier using minimal requirements, and release is affected by the receipt of the goods at the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee.

204. Under the CSA program, given that the release of goods does not occur until those goods are received, the carrier is notified at the time of report that the goods are authorized for delivery to the importer, owner or consignee. Subsection 19(1.1) of the Act provides authority for the carrier to deliver goods or cause them to be delivered before release, provided that the goods are authorized for delivery to a place of business of the importer, owner or consignee.

205. The status of a shipment authorized for delivery is like an in-bond movement and the carrier who reports goods, which have not been released, is liable for the payment of duties and taxes. In accordance with subsection 20(2.1) of the Act, the carrier’s liability for duties is not removed unless the goods authorized for delivery are:

206. In accordance with section 28(1) of the Act, the liability of the CSA carrier for duties on goods transported into Canada under CSA clearance for authority to deliver is not removed by entering the goods into a sufferance warehouse. However, liability for duties and taxes transfers to the sufferance warehouse operator on receipt of the goods:

207. Information about sufferance warehouses is provided in Memorandum D4-1-4, Customs Sufferance Warehouses.

208. Further clarification on goods not delivered can be obtained under paragraph 223 of this memorandum.

Proof of delivery

209. Given that the receipt of goods authorized for delivery represents the release of those goods, the liability for duties and taxes transfers to the importer when the goods are delivered. The reporting CSA carrier, therefore, is required to obtain and keep proof of delivery to the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee for each shipment for which the carrier has prepared a separate waybill or pro-bill. This requirement applies, regardless of the use of secondary carriers to transport goods internationally or domestically within Canada. Reporting CSA carriers need to ensure that they have a process in place, with applicable audit trails, to prove ultimate delivery.

210. Among the requirements for the carrier reporting goods authorized for delivery is the requirement to keep records relating to proof of delivery to the importer, owner or consignee. The following examples may provide proof of delivery, and can be in hard copy or electronic format:

211. In addition to proof of delivery, the carrier who transports goods into Canada is required to keep all records relating to the transportation of the goods, such as bills, accounts and statements, and the description of the goods. The format of the records may be electronic, but must relate back to source documents and be provided, when requested by a CBSA officer, in an accessible and readable copy.

212. The records of a carrier who transports goods into Canada, including goods authorized for delivery, must be kept for three years, plus the current year, beginning on January 1 of the year following the calendar year in which the goods were transported into Canada. For example, if goods are transported into Canada in 2011, then the carrier is to keep the related records until December 31, 2014. For additional information on CSA record-keeping requirements, refer to paragraph 7(2) of the Transportation of Goods Regulations.

213. Carriers may be subject to administrative monetary penalties for failure to retain and/or provide records related to CSA and non-CSA goods.

214. Once commercial goods reported for authority to deliver are delivered to the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee, the CSA-approved importer is required to keep records that relate to the receipt of those goods.

Sealing requirements

215. As indicated in Memorandum D3-1-1, Policy Respecting the Importation and Transportation of Goods, with regards to conveyances and containers that have been authorized to move inland to a sufferance warehouse, the sealing of conveyances and containers are only required for the following specific CBSA circumstances:

216. Bonded carriers and freight forwarders will be allowed to move unsealed cargo between inland sufferance warehouses.

217. This does not negate the industry’s obligation to fulfill any legislative or regulatory program requirements of other government departments that pertain to the sealing of conveyances and containers.

218. The CBSA reserves the right to seal any conveyance, container, or compartment at any time. The seal must remain intact until it is removed or authorized for removal by a CBSA officer.

219. It is important to remember that if the carrier is both CSA and PIP approved, the PIP sealing requirements supersede the CSA requirement.

Breaking bulk

220. The carrier’s terminal may be used for break-bulk (only when a CBSA seal has not been affixed), to allow direct delivery of CSA shipments, as well as released shipments in situations where other goods aboard the conveyance require reporting to the highway sufferance warehouse for CBSA purposes. The goods transported by the authorized carrier do not have to be eligible for CSA clearance.

Trade chain partner lists

221. Carriers who apply to and hold authorization under the CSA program are required to maintain and provide, upon request, profile information on specific TCPs to the CBSA for verification purposes, namely:

222. Where the CSA carrier fails to keep or provide the CBSA with a list of terminals, warehouses that they own or operate, and authorized owner-operators, a penalty may be assessed.

Goods not delivered

223. When goods authorized for delivery or taken in bond are not delivered to the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee within 40 days of the date of report, the CSA carrier is required to provide the CBSA with a report of the goods not delivered. To establish the 40-day time period, the date of report refers to the first date that the goods are reported to the CBSA. For example, the date of report for CSA clearance is the date that the carrier is notified by the CBSA of the authority to deliver.

224. Goods authorized for delivery or taken in bond but not delivered within 40 days must be reported in writing to the attention of the carrier’s assigned CBSA officer as soon as the 40 days has elapsed. The information may be submitted by paper, disk or email, as agreed by the carrier’s assigned CBSA officer. Failure to provide the CBSA with the report of goods not delivered may result in a penalty. For an example of the information required for the goods not delivered within 40 days, see Appendix F.

225. A carrier who reports goods under CSA clearance for authority to deliver is required to keep records relating to goods delivered and goods not delivered to the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee. These record-keeping requirements are, therefore, relevant to information about goods not delivered within 40 days. In addition, carriers need to ensure that their internal systems will identify all goods not delivered within 40 days of the initial report.

Goods refused by importer

226. In those instances where the CSA importer refuses delivery of a shipment, the condition for CSA release at the time of receipt at the place of business of the importer, owner or consignee is not met. It is the CSA carrier’s responsibility to maintain audit trails, including refused shipments. The CSA carrier maintains liability until the goods are lawfully disposed of, in accordance with section 20(2.1) of the Act.

227. Additional information on the delivery of goods not released can be found in Memorandum D3-1-1, Policy Respecting the Importation and Transportation of Goods.

Registered CDRP or FAST drivers

228. Information about the CDRP and the FAST Commercial Driver Program can be found on the CBSA.

229. In the case of CDRP, while an authorized driver does not have to operate the vehicle at the time of report, an authorized driver must be in the vehicle and it is his or her registration number that will be captured in CBSA’s system to complete passage history information.

230. Any non-registered drivers or passengers onboard will be subject to normal admissibility questioning. This may result in delays and affect the expedited processing time you would usually expect with CSA clearance. The CBSA strongly discourages non-registered individuals from accompanying a registered driver, as this will increase the likelihood of the CSA shipment being referred for examination, thereby slowing down the processing time.

231. In order to use the FAST lane, all occupants in the vehicle must have a valid CDRP or FAST driver registration card.

Lost or stolen CDRP or FAST cards

232. Where the driver has forgotten his or her card, the BSO may verify the driver’s status in the CBSA’s systems. However, the driver will be delayed until the status of his or her authorization is verified. Drivers must report any lost or stolen cards to the CBSA.

233. CDRP and FAST drivers must notify the CBSA immediately if their CDRP or FAST registration card has been lost or stolen by calling 1-800-842-7647.

Non-registered driver

234. CSA highway carriers requesting CSA clearance for CSA-eligible goods are required to use a registered CDRP or FAST driver.

235. Situations may arise where a CSA-approved carrier transports CSA-eligible goods across the border, using a driver that is not authorized under the CDRP or FAST programs. CSA clearance should not be used if not all the conditions are met. If one of the requirements is not met, the BSO will advise the driver that the current means of report and release such as eManifest, PARS, RMD, etc. must be completed and will be referred to Primary. The goods will not be permitted to move past FPOA until these requirements have been met.

Empty conveyances

236. Authorized CSA carriers are exempt from transmitting pre-arrival empty conveyance data provided that they produce the following documentation to the PIL BSO in Highway mode:

237. Since CSA carriers do not require pre-arrival data for empty conveyances; the CBSA will not require a transmission of such in cases where Instruments of International Trade (IIT) is the only cargo on board. To report the IIT on board the conveyance the driver must provide:

238. Carriers that are authorized for the PIP program or the CSA and PIP programs may use the FAST lane when a CDRP or FAST driver is hauling an empty conveyance. Should any passengers be on board, they must also be CDRP or FAST approved.

For additional information regarding empty conveyances and IIT’s please see Memorandum D3-1-5, International Commercial Transportation.

Section 5: Compliance

Carrier obligations

239. CSA participation requires ongoing communication and updates of data between the approved carrier and the assigned CBSA officer. Using the parameters agreed upon by the client and the CBSA officer during Part II of the CSA application process, updates of these lists, or nil reports will be supplied to the assigned CBSA officer in the applicable format. The CSA carrier is required to inform the CBSA officer of changes to information provided in the application 30 days before they occur. See Appendix D for a table of exceptions to the 30-day time frame. The CBSA officer may request that the CSA carrier provide the CBSA officer with an updated version of the Part II CSA Carrier Application (listings, flag and screen prints).  Should the carrier fail to inform the CBSA officer of any of these changes or fail to provide the information requested by the CBSA officer an action plan may be initiated, the carrier may receive a penalty, or the carrier may be suspended or removed from the program.

240. Approved carriers are required to submit information as described in the section called “Goods Not Delivered” of this document, for any shipment not delivered within 40 days of receiving authority to deliver or being in bond. The assigned CBSA officer should be notified in writing immediately. This obligation applies whether the CSA program or any other reporting process was used.

Penalties

241. Carriers who do not comply with the requirements of the CSA program may be subject to penalties under the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS). CSA carriers are not exempt from other non-CSA penalties that may also apply. More information on AMPS is available in Memorandum D22-1-1, Administrative Monetary Penalty System.

Post-incident analysis (PIA)

242. The CBSA may conduct a Post-Incident Analysis (PIA) following an incident or breach of supply chain security. A letter of notification will be sent to the program member when a PIA has been initiated. The letter will state the reason for the PIA and request the member’s participation.

243. The purpose of a PIA is to assess compliance with program requirements following a security-related incident. A PIA will not be conducted at the request of another program or agency without grounds directly rooted in CSA program policy.

The PIA will seek to:

244. Incidents that require a PIA may be brought to the attention of the CBSA by means of:

245. At the discretion of the CBSA, membership and related benefits, such as access to FAST lanes entering Canada, may be maintained or suspended throughout the duration of a PIA depending on the severity of the incident.

246. The outcome of a PIA may consist of:

If the program member gives an unsatisfactory explanation as to the possible cause(s) of the incident, fails to respond effectively to the incident, and/or is unwilling or unable to participate in a PIA, then program membership may be suspended or cancelled at the discretion of the CBSA.

247. A letter of notification will be sent to the program member when a PIA has been concluded. The letter will state the outcome of the PIA and will provide an effective date for the CBSA’s decision. A CBSA decision affecting CSA program membership as a result of a PIA is subject to appeal.

Action plans

248. An action plan constitutes a mutual agreement between the importer and the CBSA. Action plans are administered to resolve specific incidents of non-compliance and do not necessarily result in an automatic suspension or cancellation of a CSA authorization. Action Plans are created to formally document identified compliance issue(s), provide a means by which to resolve the issue(s) as well as providing follow-up and support until such situations are corrected.

249. Action plans may be created for issues of non-compliance which fall under either section 10.6(1) (suspension from the program) or 10.6(2) (cancellation/removal from the program) of the AIGPDR. Alternatively, a CBSA officer may create an action plan to assist the carrier applicant in meeting the requirements necessary for the issuance of a CSA authorization.

250. An action plan may be instituted for a period of up to 6 months, however should the carrier feel they require additional time within which to address or correct the issue(s) they may make a written request for an extension of time.

251. Should a carrier feel that an action plan is not warranted, the carrier should contact the Manager of the CSA Carrier Program. It is important to note that an action plan cannot be appealed as it is an interim measure to aid a client with compliance issues. If a client does not follow through with the required corrective actions their CSA authorization may be suspended or cancelled. Extension requests and action plan inquiries can be made to the following:

Manager
Customs Self-Assessment
Attention: Manager CSA Carrier Program
Canada Border Services Agency
55 Bay Street North, 6th Floor
Hamilton ON  L8R 3P7
Canada

Revalidation

252. For a participant to maintain good standing in the CSA carrier program, the assigned CBSA officer must validate that participant regularly. This process will validate that the CSA-approved carrier is fulfilling all CSA obligations (see paragraph 239 for detailed information regarding obligations) and determine if an action plan is required.

253. The purpose of the validation process is to determine:

  1. that all CSA obligations continue to be met;
  2. that the approved CSA client is knowledgeable about the operational requirements of the program;
  3. that an action plan will be implemented, if required;
  4. that any existing action plans are evaluated;
  5. if any Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMP) are required for non-compliance are issued;
  6. continued participation or removal from the program can be determined; and
  7. that the client remains low risk.

Additional information

254. For more information, call the CBSA Border Information Service (BIS):

Calls within Canada & the United States (toll free): 1-800-461-9999
Calls outside Canada & the United States (long distance charges apply): 1-204-983-3500 or 1-506-636-5064

TTY: 1-866-335-3237
Email: contact@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Contact Us at the CBSA website may also be accessed for information.

Appendices

Appendix A: Scenarios

The table below provides an overview of possible situations and the related processes. In all cases, the carrier is authorized under CSA.

Clearance Method Driver Status At PIL Inland
CSA Driver is to be registered.
  • Cargo automatically arrived
  • Goods authorized for delivery or referred for examination
 Goods authorized to deliver may be delivered to place of business of the importer, owner or consignee
PARS in good standing with CSA goods on the conveyance
(Cargo report to and from a frontier office) 		Driver is to be registered.
  • Goods in recommend release status are adjusted to released status
  • Conveyance is authorized to move
  • Carrier arrives the goods at an SO or Sufferance Warehouse
  • Goods in released or authorized to deliver status may be delivered
PARS in good standing with no CSA goods on the conveyance
(Cargo report to and from a frontier office) 		Driver is not required to be registered.
  • Goods in recommend release status are adjusted to released status
  • Conveyance is authorized to move
  • Carrier arrives the goods at an SO or Sufferance Warehouse
  • Goods in released status may be delivered
Failed PARS, INPARS or in bond with CSA goods on the conveyance
(Cargo report from frontier to an inland office) 		Driver is to be registered.
  • Goods in recommend release status are not automatically arrived or adjusted to released status
  • Conveyance with no frontier examination message attached is authorized to move
  • Destination port will require change from frontier to inland.
  • Conveyance may move to SO (or sufferance warehouse)
  • Carrier may arrive the goods at SO
  • Goods in released status may be delivered
  • Goods not in released status remain at SO pending CBSA release
Failed PARS, INPARS or in bond with no CSA goods on the conveyance
(Cargo report to and from a frontier office) 		Driver is not required to be registered to proceed to an SO warehouse.
  • Goods are not adjusted to released status
  • Conveyance with no frontier examination message attached is authorized to move
  • Destination port will require change from frontier to inland.
  • Conveyance may move to SO (or sufferance warehouse)
  • Carrier may arrive the goods at SO
  • Goods in released status may be delivered
  • Goods not in released status remain at SO pending CBSA release

Appendix B: Bar code specifications for non-EDI highway carriers

Customs self-assessment program bar code specifications for non-EDI highway carriers

The following instructions and guidelines are for highway carriers who do not use Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) to meet the CBSA’s clearance requirements. If you are a carrier that uses EDI to meet the CBSA’s clearance requirements, please refer to Appendix C – Bar Code Specifications for EDI Carriers.

Customs self-assessment clearance

The Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) clearance process is available to CSA-approved importers, CSA-approved carriers and drivers registered with the Commercial Driver Registration Program (CDRP) or the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Commercial Driver Program.

Data elements for CSA clearance

Mandatory data elements

In order to clear CSA eligible goods using the CSA clearance process, the approved CSA carrier must provide the following three mandatory bar code data elements when the goods arrive:

In addition to the three mandatory data elements outlined above, if a CSA-approved carrier has sub-contracted the transportation of CSA eligible goods to another CSA-approved carrier, the carrier code, in the bar code format of the secondary carrier, must also be provided when the goods arrive.

Optional data elements

In addition to the mandatory data elements for CSA clearance, the following bar code data elements may be provided when the goods arrive:

Data element definitions and use

Mandatory data elements

CSA-approved Carrier’s Carrier Code: This is the unique four-character bond number issued by the CBSA to a carrier. The four-character carrier code may contain both alpha and numeric characters (e.g. 9999 or 99AA). It is used to identify a specific carrier as a CSA-approved participant. This is a mandatory data element for CSA clearance. (N.B. If a carrier chooses to use the optional Transport Document Number (TDN), a separate carrier code bar code is not needed because the TDN includes the CSA-approved carrier’s carrier code.)

Barcode
9999

CSA-approved Importer’s Business Number: This is a 15-character number issued by the Canada Revenue Agency to an importer. The 15-character number comprises nine numeric characters, the letters RM, and four numeric characters. There are no spaces between the characters (e.g. 123456789RM0001). This number is used to identify a specific importer as a CSA-approved participant. This is a mandatory data element for CSA clearance. (N.B. Carriers should contact their CSA-approved importer clients or the logistics company working on behalf of the importer to obtain importer bar codes or obtain the importer’s business number so that the carrier can produce the bar codes.)

Barcode
123006789RM0001

Secondary Carrier Code: This is the unique four-character bond number issued by the CBSA to a carrier. The four-character carrier code may contain both alpha and numeric characters (e.g. 9999 or 99AA). It is used to identify a specific carrier as a CSA-approved participant. This is a mandatory data element when primary CSA-approved carriers hire another CSA-approved carrier to transport CSA-eligible goods on their behalf using a letter of authority.

Barcode
9988

Optional data elements

CSA service option: This is the five-digit code used by the CBSA to identify the service option being used to clear shipments. With most service options (e.g. PARS), the border services officer keys in the service option code upon the arrival of goods. This will continue with the CSA clearance process. However, if a carrier chooses to prepare and present the service option in bar code format for CSA clearance, it may facilitate the clearance of goods. This is an optional data element.

For non-EDI carriers using CSA clearance in the highway mode, the CSA service option number is 00497.

Barcode
00497

Transport document number: This is a unique reference number generated by CSA-approved carriers who want to track CSA shipments by distinctly numbering the shipments. This is an option, which is necessary to receive release notification system (RNS) messages for individual shipments. The total number of characters that can be included in the transportation document number is 25 and the first four characters must be the four-character carrier code. No transportation document number can be duplicated for a three-year period. The transportation document number is an optional data element. (N.B. If a CSA-approved carrier chooses to prepare and present a transport document number, a separate carrier code bar code is not required.)

Barcode
99991234567890

Presentation of the bar code data elements

It is the approved CSA carriers’ responsibility to present the mandatory bar codes to the CBSA in a valid format when reporting the shipment.

The CBSA strongly recommends that carriers produce and use a lead sheet, or control document to present the bar code data elements. Using this lead sheet will make it easier for border services officers to scan the bar code data elements and facilitate the clearance of goods.

There is no size specification for the lead sheet. However, the mandatory bar codes being presented must include headings or titles as in the attached samples, and the size specifications of the bar code itself must be followed.

The border services officer does not retain the lead sheet. In most cases, it is scanned and returned to the driver.

This lead sheet may be laminated. It is recommended that a lead sheet, which is intended for re-use and multiple crossings, be laminated to increase its durability and readability.

The optimum presentation format is a lead sheet of document, which contains, in the order described, all the mandatory bar codes, either printed or on labels. If it is not possible for a carrier to use a lead sheet, the data elements may be presented on a shipping document or as a combination of labels in the order described below.

Any other method of presenting the bar code data elements must be approved by the CBSA officer before using the CSA clearance process.

Regardless of the method used to provide the bar code data elements, the mandatory data elements must be presented, in the following order:

If a carrier chooses to provide any or all of the optional data elements, in addition to the mandatory data elements, the information must be presented in the following order:

Recommended Lead Sheet – Example 1

CSA Lead Sheet
Barcode
00497
CSA Service Option
Barcode
9999
CSA-approved Carrier’s Carrier Code – Include  Name
Barcode
123006789RM0001
CSA-approved Importer’s Business Number – Include Company Name
Barcode
9988
CSA-approved (Secondary) Carrier’s Carrier Code Include Company Name

Example #1 outlines all the mandatory and optional bar codes available, except the approved driver registration number, in the correct order, with an example of acceptable headings and descriptions provided next to each bar code.

These headings or descriptions may appear above or below the bar code, providing that they do not interfere with the bar code spacing specifications, or the human readable format.

The driver registration number is printed on the approved driver’s CDRP or FAST membership card.

Recommended Lead Sheet – Example 2

CSA Lead Sheet

Approved Carrier Code – Company Name Trucking Inc.

Barcode
9999

Approved Importer Number – Company Name Inc.

Barcode
123006789RM0001

Example # 2 is an abbreviated lead sheet, containing only two of the mandatory data elements, and the acceptable headings for the document and bar codes.

The third mandatory data element, the driver registration number, is printed on the approved driver’s CSA or FAST membership card.

Testing of bar codes

Sample bar codes must be tested and approved by the CBSA to ensure they meet CBSA readability standards before using the CSA clearance process.

It is the responsibility of all CSA participants to submit sample bar codes for each of the data elements, using the proposed method of presentation, whenever possible (e.g. lead sheet, laminated lead sheet, shipping document, labels) to the CBSA for testing and approval.

Reprints of bar codes previously tested and approved by the CBSA do not need to be resubmitted for approval, unless the process or materials used to produce the bar codes have changed significantly.

To obtain CBSA approval, please forward original bar code document samples or bar code labels to your CBSA officer.

Bar code instructions

Bar code symbologies

Either of the following bar code symbologies may be selected:

Standard Code 3 of 9, as defined in the AIM (Automatic Identification Manufactures Inc.) document USS-39 (USD-3). Use of the optional Code 3 of 9 modulo 43 checksum is not acceptable. Code 3 of 9 bar code symbols may be printed with either a 2:1 or 3:1 wide to narrow bar width ratio, subject to meeting the requirements outlined in Part II.

Code 128 is defined in AIM document USS-128 (USD-6). A modulo 103 checksum digit is a mandatory part of Code 128.

Note: For transport document numbers longer than 18 characters, it may not be possible to use Code 3 of 9. The maximum length of 4.5"/11.43 cm will be strictly enforced.

Width of Narrow Bar

The minimum width of a narrow bar must be 0.023 cm (0.009 inches).

The maximum width of a narrow bar is dependent on the bar code symbology selected, as follows:

Code 3 of 9 (2:1 ratio) = 0.04 cm (0.016 inches)

Code 3 of 9 (3:1 ratio) = 0.03 cm (0.012 inches)

Code 128 = 0.04 cm (0.016 inches)

Code 128 (double density) = 0.06 cm (0.024 inches)

Width of Wide Bar

For Code 3 of 9, a wide bar must be no less than two and no more than three times that of a narrow bar, according to the narrow bar specifications required.

For Code 128, there are four different bar widths. These must be one, two, three and four times that of a narrow bar, where the maximum width of the narrow bar is as specified above in Width of Narrow Bar.

Length of Quiet Zones

Both the leading and the trailing quiet zones must be a minimum of either 10 times the narrow bar width, or 0.3 cm (0.125 inches), whichever is greater. Longer quiet zones will increase the readability of the code.

Bar Code Symbol Height

The bar code symbol must be between 0.95 cm (0.375 inches) and 1.60 cm (0.625 inches) in height.

Bar Code Symbol Length

The bar code symbol, including the leading and trailing quiet zones, as well as the human readability component, must totally reside within an area no greater than 12.7 cm (5 inches) long by 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) high.

Human Readable Format

Human readable print numbers must always be below the bar code.

The height of the human readable print must be at least 0.25 cm (0.0984 inches).

The human readable number must begin on the left side of the bar code directly below the point where the bar code starts.

The spacing between the bar code and the human readable format and any subsequent lines must be at least 0.08 cm (0.03 inches).

The related carrier, importer and secondary carrier names must be printed for all bar codes being tested. The printing must meet the requirements of the quiet zones and not interfere with the human readable number or code.

Print Contrast Ratio

The print contrast ratio (PCR) is the ratio of the difference of reflectivity between the bars and spaces, as follows:

PCR = Reflectance of Spaces – Reflectance of Bars / Reflectance of Spaces

Where reflectance is defined as a percentage figure, the print contrast ratio must be a minimum of 55 percent, with an optimum value of 75 percent.

Readability

The average first read rate for bar code symbols produced must be 95 percent (i.e., Only five in 100 will require more than one scan.). All bar codes produced through carbons must meet the same readability rate as the original.

Lifetime

The bar code symbol must be readable for a minimum of eight months with a 95 percent first-read rate.

Print Type

The bar code symbol may be printed with either carbon or non-carbon ink.

Label Size

If labels are used, the label must be a self-adhesive, permanent label and must be smudge-proof.

Appendix C: Bar code specifications for EDI carriers

Customs self-assessment program bar code specifications for CSA-EDI highway carriers

The following instructions and guidelines are for highway carriers who transmit electronically to meet the CBSA’s clearance requirements. CSA Carriers utilizing Service Options 00976 and 00984 of the eManifest Message Maps should contact the TCCU to obtain additional information regarding Bar Code specifications: /eservices/eccrd-eng.html. If you are a carrier that does not transmit electronically to meet the CBSA’s clearance requirements, please refer to Appendix B – Bar Code Specifications for non-EDI Highway Carriers.

Customs self-assessment clearance

The Customs self-assessment (CSA) clearance process is available to CSA-approved importers, CSA-approved carriers and drivers registered with the Commercial Driver Registration Program (CDRP) or the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Commercial Driver Program.

Data elements for electronic transmission and clearance

Mandatory data elements

In order to report EDI cargo, the following two mandatory bar code data elements must be provided on a lead sheet when the goods arrive:

Service option

Conveyance number

Should there be CSA cargo on board, the registered driver’s photo-identification electronic device (CDRP or FAST card), provided by the CBSA, must also be presented at the time of report.

In addition to the two mandatory data elements outlined above, if an EDI carrier has sub-contracted the transportation, the other carrier must be a CSA-approved carrier and must present his or her carrier code in bar code format as the secondary carrier.

Optional data elements

In addition to the mandatory data elements for EDI clearance, the following bar code data elements may be provided upon arrival of the goods:

Data element definitions and use

Mandatory data elements

EDI highway service option: This is the five-digit code used by the CBSA to identify the service option being used to report shipments.

Barcode
00547

Conveyance report number: This is a unique reference-tracking number, which links either one (1) shipment (full truckload), or all the multiple shipments (less than truckload - LTL), on board one or multiple trailers per entry to Canada. It must begin with the four-digit carrier code of the primary CSA EDI-approved carrier. This number cannot be longer than 25 characters and cannot be duplicated for a three-year period. The CBSA will capture the conveyance number at the border. This number will be linked to all the shipments on board that conveyance in the CBSA’s system.

Barcode
99995678910111213

Secondary carrier code: This is the unique four-character bond number issued by the CBSA to a carrier. The four-character carrier code may contain both alpha and numeric characters (e.g. 9999 or 99AA). It is used to identify a specific carrier as a CSA-approved participant. The CSA secondary carriers may already have a method for their drivers to report their carrier code. This is a mandatory data element when primary CSA-approved carriers hire another CSA-approved carrier to transport any type of cargo reported by EDI on their behalf using a letter of authority.

Barcode
9988

Presentation of the bar code data elements

A lead sheet must be used by the EDI carrier to present the bar code data elements. Border services officers will scan the bar codes at the first point of arrival to Canada.

The mandatory data elements must be presented, in the following order:

EDI highway service option number

Approved conveyance number

If applicable, the registered driver identification

If applicable, the CSA-approved secondary carrier’s carrier code

If a carrier chooses to provide any or all of the optional data elements, in addition to the mandatory data elements, the information must be presented in the following order:

Owner-operator’s carrier code (must be last bar code presented on the lead sheet)

Recommended lead sheet

A FLAG, such as a separate color sheet for the driver as a reminder to have the CDRP or FAST card ready for presentation when reporting to the CBSA is also recommended.

EDI lead sheet

EDI highway service option
Barcode
00547

CBSA-approved conveyance number
Barcode
99995678910111213
Carrier name

If applicable:
Barcode
9988
OR
Barcode
7999

Carrier name
CSA-approved (Secondary) Carrier’s OR Carrier Code

Your assigned CBSA officer must review and authorize the format of the EDI lead sheet and consist lists before they are used.

Carrier outages

During carrier outages, some of the cargos or conveyances may not have been sent to the CBSA.

The carrier will have the option of either presenting a consist sheet or individual paper cargo control documents. Bar codes representing the cargoes must be the same as those that may have been transmitted to the CBSA and must clearly indicate carrier outage at the top of the paper manifest.

CSA, PARS and RMD releases are to appear in order, as shown below, or a separate consist sheet for CSA shipments may be used. Planned in-bond cargo is presented on A8A manifests.

Recommended consist sheet
(Multiple pages are to be presented when required)

A FLAG, such as a separate color sheet for the driver as a reminder to bring the CDRP or FAST card when reporting to the CBSA is also recommended.

EDI – LTL carrier outage
Consist sheet
Carrier Name:
Date:
Conveyance #:
if applicable, bar code format provided on lead sheet

Bar codes CBSA Service option
Barcode
9999123456789221		   PARS
Barcode
9999123456789222		   PARS
Barcode
9999123456789224		   PARS
Barcode
9999123456789225		   PARS OGD
Barcode
9999123456789226		 Barcode
123006789RM0001		 CSA

EDI-LTL CARRIER OUTAGE

CONSIST SHEET

Carrier Name:

Date of Entry to Canada:

Conveyance #: 

if applicable, bar code format provided on lead sheet

Carrier Bar Codes Importer Bar Codes Service Option
Barcode
99991777588877278		 Barcode
123456789RM0001		 CSA
Barcode
9999177758889225		 Barcode
123001119RM000		 CSA
Barcode
99991777588879995		 Barcode
123456789RM0001		 CSA

Testing of bar codes

Sample bar codes must be tested and approved by the CBSA to ensure they meet CBSA readability standards before using the EDI reporting process.

It is the responsibility of all EDI participants to submit sample bar codes for each of the data elements using the proposed method of presentation (e.g. lead sheet, shipping document, labels) to the CBSA for testing and approval. 9999177758887727 9999177758889225 9999177758889995 123006789RM0001

Reprints of bar codes previously tested and approved by the CBSA do not need to be resubmitted for approval, unless the process or materials used to produce the bar codes have changed.

For testing of bar codes, send a sample to the Technical Commercial Client Unit at:

Technical Commercial Client Unit
Canada Border Services Agency
355 North River Road, 6th Floor, Tower B
Ottawa ON K1A 0L8

For more information:

Email tccu-ustcc@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Telephone:
1-888-957-7224, Option 1 for EDI transactions / Option 2 for Technical Portal Assistance (calls within Canada and the United States)
613-946-0762 (overseas callers)

To obtain CBSA approval, please forward original bar code document samples or bar code labels to your CBSA officer.

Bar code instructions

Bar code symbologies

Either of the following bar code symbologies may be selected:

Standard Code 3 of 9, as defined in the AIM (Automatic Identification Manufactures Inc.) document USS-39 (USD-3). Use of the optional Code 3 of 9 modulo 43 checksum is not acceptable. Code 3 of 9 bar code symbols may be printed with either a 2:1 or 3:1 wide to narrow bar width ratio, subject to meeting the requirements outlined in Part II.

Code 128 is defined in AIM document USS-128 (USD-6). A modulo 103 checksum digit is a mandatory part of Code 128.

Note: For transport document numbers longer than 18 characters, it may not be possible to use Code 3 of 9. The maximum length of 4.5"/11.43 cm will be strictly enforced.

Width of narrow bar

The minimum width of a narrow bar must be 0.023 cm (0.009 inches).

The maximum width of a narrow bar depends on the bar code symbology selected, as follows:

Code 3 of 9 (2:1 ratio) = 0.04 cm (0.016 inches)
Code 3 of 9 (3:1 ratio) = 0.03 cm (0.012 inches)
Code 128 = 0.04 cm (0.016 inches)
Code 128 (double density) = 0.06 cm (0.024 inches)

Width of wide bar

For Code 3 of 9, a wide bar must be no less than two and no more than three times that of a narrow bar, according to the narrow bar specifications required

For Code 128, there are four different bar widths. These must be one, two, three and four times that of a narrow bar, where the maximum width of the narrow bar is as specified above in Width of Narrow Bar.

Length of quiet zones

Both the leading and the trailing quiet zones must be a minimum of either 10 times the narrow bar width or 0.3 cm (0.125 inches), whichever is greater. Longer quiet zones will increase the readability of the code.

Bar code symbol height

The bar code symbol must be between 0.95 cm (0.375 inches) and 1.60 cm (0.625 inches) in height.

Bar code symbol length

The bar code symbol, including the leading and trailing quiet zones, as well as the human readability component, must totally reside within an area no greater than 12.7 cm (5 inches) long by 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) high.

Human readable format

Human readable print numbers must always be below the bar code.

The height of the human readable print must be at least 0.25 cm (0.0984 inches).

The human readable number must begin on the left side of the bar code directly below the point where the bar code starts.

The spacing between the bar code and the human readable format and any subsequent lines must be at least 0.08 cm (0.03 inches).

Carriers must print their carrier name. EDI-approved participants may also print the acronym “EDI” or “EDI-LTL”. The printing must meet the requirements of the quiet zones and not interfere with the human readable number or code.

The bar code symbol should read only the digits found in the human readable number and should not read the dash or space.

Print contrast ratio

The print contrast ratio (PCR) is the difference of reflectivity between the bars and spaces, as follows:

PCR = Reflectance of Spaces – Reflectance of Bars / Reflectance of Spaces

Where reflectance is defined as a percentage figure, the print contrast ratio must be a minimum of 55 percent, with an optimum value of 75 percent.

Readability

The average first-read rate for bar code symbols produced must be 95 percent (i.e., only five in 100 will require more than one scan). All bar codes produced through carbons must meet the same readability rate as the original.

Lifetime

The bar code symbol must be readable for a minimum of eight months with a 95 percent first-read rate.

Print type

The bar code symbol may be printed with either carbon or non-carbon ink.

Labels

If labels are used, the label must be a self-adhesive, permanent label and must be smudge-proof.

Appendix D: Changes to the Part 2 application information

Type of change Time frame for notification

Change in a current business flow

30 days before

Change in carrier code

30 days before

Change in audit trails

30 days before

Change in service providers

30 days before

Change in types of service provided

30 days before

Change of address

30 days before

Change of contact name, telephone, etc.

30 days before

Changes in BN or RM

30 days before

New business flows

30 days before

Withdrawal from CSA program

30 days before

Bankruptcy or receivership

as soon as change is public

Change of name

as soon as change is public

Change of ownership

as soon as change is public

Corporate re-organization

as soon as change is public

Mergers and acquisitions

as soon as change is public

New division

as soon as change is public

Sale of facilities, divisions or part of the business

as soon as change is public

Trade chain partners, non-EDI clients

monthly or quarterly, as agreed upon with CBSA officer

Trade chain partners, EDI clients

before use of owner operator or terminal/warehouse

Errors, systems, problems, non-compliance etc.

upon discovery

Appendix E: Link between the cargo report and the highway conveyance report

Individual Cargo Reports (Highway Conveyance Report) Summarized on Conveyance Report with the Conveyance Report Number
00984 00976
CCN/TDN
CCN/TDN
CCN/TDN		 Conveyance Report

Appendix F: 40 day report

Reporting carrier name:

Contact name: (of who is providing the report)

Phone number: (of who is providing the report)

Date of report:

Originating Date Importer Name or Business Number Cargo Control Number Unit Number Location of Goods Shipper/Consignee
Date goods entered Canada   Not required if CSA Trailer or container number in which cargo entered Canada City/Prov /Yard where goods are located  

Appendix G: Letter of authorization

Letter of authorization

Sample only

Business letter head

Date

To: Canada Border Services Agency

Subject: Letter of authorization

This is to advise you that:

Name of representative:
Address:
City/Province/State:
Postal/Zip-code:

Is authorized by:

Name of business:
Address:
City/Province/State:
Postal/Zip-code:

To provide information to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on behalf of the business as required in relation to the Customs self-assessment program (CSA).

(Business name) acknowledges that by authorizing the above noted representative, it assumes full liability for all information provided to the CBSA by their representative.

This authorization is valid until further notice.

Authorized Signature:

Title:

Telephone Number:

References

Issuing office:
Trusted Trader Programs Unit
Program Policy Management Division
Commercial Program Directorate
Canada Border Services Agency
Headquarters file:
 
Legislative references:
Customs Act, sections 32, 37(1), 164, and 166
Transportation of Goods Regulations
Accounting for Imported Goods and Payment of Duties Regulations
Privacy Act
Other references:
D1-7-1, D3-1-1, D3-1-5, D3-4-2, D3-6-6, D4-1-4, D17-1-4, D17-1-5, D22-1-1 and D23 series
Superseded memorandum D:
D23-2-1, dated December 18, 2020
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