Here below is an update about Canada’s upcoming eManifest for Forwarders and Importer Advance Trade Data (ATD) regulations. CBSA is leveraging sophisticated technology and analysis of information to automatically and rigorously risk assess commercial goods prior to their arrival in Canada, using the pre-arrival/pre-load electronic information.
Canada’s eManifest is part of Canada’s Advance Commercial Information (ACI) initiative for freight forwarders/NVOCCs.  It requires freight forwarders/NVOCCs to electronically transmit advance commercial information to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) within prescribed mode-specific time frames.  Freight forwarders/NVOCCs will be required to submit advance electronic house bill data for cargo bound for Canada.

The regulation becomes effective on July 1, 2014.
Companies that do not comply may face monetary penalties. When applicable, the CBSA may issue penalties for: a) providing information that is incomplete, inaccurate or untrue; b) failing to send the prescribed information within the prescribed time or in the prescribed manner; and/or c) failing to notify the CBSA that the data has changed.

The Canadian eManifest filing requirement essentially adds additional data points to the existing ACI filing.  The regulation also eliminates paper filings.  Filers must use the CBSA portal or work through a service provider  who will transmit each filing to CBSA via EDI.

The eManifest requirement for ocean shipments requires carriers and NVOCCs to electronically submit their conveyance (vessel) and cargo information to the CBSA at least 24 hours prior to loading of the goods on board the vessel at origin.

We will keep you informed!