Advance Commercial Information

The Advance Commercial Information (ACI) program introduces more effective risk management processes and tools to identify threats to our health, safety, and security prior to the arrival of cargo and conveyances in Canada.

• ACI Carrier Requirements
  • Marine Mode
    Requirements, procedures and frequently asked questions for marine carriers.
    
  • Air Mode
    Requirements, procedures and frequently asked questions.
    
• Program Overview
  The purpose and phased implementation of ACI.
  
• Contact Information
  If you have any comments or would like more information.

Program Overview

The ACI program is about providing CBSA officers with electronic pre-arrival cargo information so that they are equipped with the right information at the right time to identify health, safety and security threats related to commercial goods before the goods arrive in Canada.

Phase 1: Marine Mode

Phase I of the Advance Commercial Information (ACI) Program was implemented on April 19, 2004 requiring marine carriers to electronically transmit marine cargo data to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) 24 hours prior to loading cargo at a foreign port. This requirement allows the CBSA to effectively identify threats to Canada’s health, safety, and security prior to the arrival of cargo and conveyances in Canada.

Phase 2: Air Mode and Marine Shipments Loaded in the United States

Implementation of Phase 2 of the ACI program was completed on
July 26, 2006 and requires all air carriers and freight forwarders,
where applicable, to electronically transmit conveyance, cargo and supplementary cargo data to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) four hours prior to arrival in Canada..

As well, ACI Phase 2 also expanded marine requirements to include shipments loaded in the United States.

Phase 3: eManifest

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.

Contact Information

If you have any comments or want more information, please contact the ACI/ Marine and Air Unit by e-mail at aci-ipec@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.