Canada Updates Notice on Extended ACI Grace Period for U.S.-Loaded Marine FROB
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has added another sentence to its recent notice on extending the exemption for Advance Commercial Information (ACI) notification requirements for U.S.-loaded marine freight remaining on board cargo to December 31, 2010.
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The added sentence states that "Prime cargo reports (SO83) as well as supplementary cargo (SO687) will be required for U.S.-loaded FROB cargo upon the expiration of the grace period," and is incorporated into the previously published instructions below.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 09/21/10 news, 10092119, for initial BP summary of the grace period's extension to December 31. See ITT’s Online Archives or 04/12/10 news, 10041221, for BP summary on the extension of grace period from March 31 to September 30.)
ACI Transmissions Will be Required for U.S.-Loaded FROB Starting Jan 1, 2011
According to CBSA, it has reached a final resolution that effective January 1, 2011, it will require ACI transmissions for U.S.-loaded FROB cargo as per CBSA current policy.
Both Prime and Supplemental Cargo Reports to be Required for this FROB
CBSA states that prime cargo reports (SO83) as well as supplementary cargo (SO687) will be required for U.S.-loaded FROB cargo upon the expiration of the grace period.
Trade Encouraged to Send ACI During Interim Period
During the interim period, CBSA encourages marine carriers to transmit U.S.-loaded FROB cargo information to the agency in order to achieve full compliance upon the full implementation date. CBSA can also provide guidance and assistance on meeting the requirements during this time.
ACI Implementation Began in 2004
In a 2008 document, CBSA describes the ACI phases as follows:
- Phase I, which was implemented on April 19, 2004, requires marine carriers to electronically transmit marine cargo data to CBSA 24 hours prior to loading cargo at a foreign port.
- Phase 2, which was implemented on July 26, 2006, requires all air carriers and freight forwarders, where applicable, to electronically transmit conveyance, cargo and supplementary cargo data to CBSA four hours prior to arrival in Canada. Phase 2 also expanded marine requirements to include shipments loaded in the U.S.
- Phase 3, eManifest, will require the electronic transmission of advance cargo and conveyance information from carriers for all highway and rail shipments. In addition, the electronic transmission of advance secondary data will be required from freight forwarders and the electronic transmission of advance importer data will be required from importers or their brokers.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/11/04 and 10/21/03 news, 04031100 and 03102110, for BP summaries of Canada’s ACI requirements.)
CBSA contact -- Helene Porter (905) 308-8556
CBSA information on ACI is available here.