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On May 6, 2015, the Canada Border Services Agency finally published amendments under the Customs Act to implement Advanced Commercial Information eManifest reporting requirements for carriers coming into Canada, loaded or empty. Carriers not yet using eManifest have until July 10, 2015, to comply before CBSA begins to issue penalties.

eManifest requires the electronic transmission of manifest information from motor carriers at least one hour prior to a truck’s arrival at the first port of entry into Canada. Carriers can send information identifying the truck, trailer, shipment(s) and driver to CBSA through its free, web-based ACI portal, a direct connection to the CBSA, or a service provider.

After July 10, CBSA will issue “zero-rated,” non-monetary Administrative Monetary Penalty System penalties. The penalty will instead serve as a warning to carriers they must correct the issue that led to the penalty and be prepared to fully comply with ACI requirements. The zero-rated AMPS period will last for six months, until January 10, 2016, after which full AMPS will apply, including fines.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance welcomed publication of the eManifest regulations. “CTA members have been voluntarily submitting e-Manifests to CBSA for nearly five years now,” says CEO David Bradley. “While there have been growing pains, the process has shown to expedite cross-border truck traffic so the fact that we finally have a date when the program becomes mandatory means things should improve further.”

CBSA has indicated that 90 percent of highway carriers are ready for eManifest. However, carriers are encouraged to e-mail this article to shippers and customers as they will need to provide information to carriers in advance and ensure descriptions and piece counts are accurate for all goods. Failing to do so could result in delays at the border and contribute to potential fines for the carriers.  

Carriers not already submitting eManifest are urged to do so now and communicate with partner carriers to ensure they are also prepared.

For background articles and more information, please see the following:

• eManifest Requirements for Highway Carriers
• CBSA’s eManifest FAQ
• October 16, 2014, “CBSA eManifest Roundup”
• February 20, 2014, “ACI eManifest Mandate Published in Canada Gazette, Part I”

CTA was closely involved in communications about the development of eManifest over the past few years, seeking input from carriers and keeping members involved via regular conference call webinars with CBSA beginning in October 2012. BCTA shared related resources with members via the Bulletin.