Electronic Commerce

This section provides existing and potential electronic commerce clients with the necessary information, documents, and tools required to effectively transmit commercial electronic data to the CBSA.

Electronic Data Interchange

CBSA's Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) systems allow clients to electronically transmit their import or export data, as well as their accounting documents, to the CBSA. These systems facilitate the CBSA's ability to quickly process low-risk goods, focusing resources on identifying potential threats to Canada's safety and security.

CBSA's EDI Systems

• Overview: EDI Applications
  Descriptions and uses of the various applications.
• Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document (ECCRD)
  Manuals providing technical details for EDI applications.

Becoming an EDI Client

• Procedures
  Step by step instructions on how to become an EDI client.
• Communication Methods
  Available methods of transmitting electronic data to CBSA.
• Software / Service Providers Lists
  Lists of registered software and service suppliers that sell and support required software for EDI applications.

Documents for Existing EDI Clients

• Customs Tariff
  Complete list of Harmonized System (HS) Codes
• CADEX-Formatted Customs Tariff
  Customs Tariff files for CADEX clients.
• Sub-location Codes ( HTML )   ( XLS, 471Kb )
  List of warehouse codes for the ACROSS System.
• Exceptions Lead Sheet ( XLS, 36 Kb )   ( PDF, 60 Kb ) [help with document formats]   
  This Exception Lead Sheet is to be used by importers/brokers when submitting paper release requests on and after April 1, 2008, as directed in Customs Notices 08-009.

Calling the EDI Hotline

• Required Information
  Detailed list of the information you should be providing when calling the EDI Hotline.
• Contact List
  List of who to contact in various situations
• Scheduled Maintenance Outages and Holiday Table
  List of scheduled outages and holidays for the following year.
• Error Codes ( XLS, 383Kb )   ( PDF, 259 Kb ) [help with document formats] 
  List of all error codes for the ACROSS system (including Electronic Release, ACI Marine, ACI Air, Rail and CSA)
• Procedures to Follow During System Outages/Interruptions

Additional Information

Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding commercial EDI transactions, please contact the Electronic Commerce Unit:

Electronic Commerce Unit
Canada Border Services Agency
250 Tremblay Road, 6th floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L8

Telephone:
888-957-7224 calls within Canada and the U.S.
613-946-0762 for overseas callers between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (E.T.)
613-946-0763 for overseas callers between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. (E.T.)