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.

EDI

Clients using the CBSA's electronic data interchange (EDI) systems can electronically transmit their import or export data and their accounting documents to the CBSA. These systems help the CBSA to quickly process low-risk goods, which allows the CBSA to focus resources on identifying potential threats to Canada's safety and security.

EDI Systems

• Overview: EDI Applications
  Descriptions and uses of the various applications
• Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document (ECCRD)
  Manuals that provide 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 the required software for EDI applications.

Documents for existing EDI clients

• Frequently-Asked Questions
  A compilation of the most asked EDI questions, including suggestions of ways to resolve the problems.
• Customs Tariff
  Complete list of Harmonized System Codes
• CADEX-Formatted Customs Tariff
  Customs Tariff files for CADEX clients.
• Sub-location codes
  List of warehouse codes for the ACROSS System.
• Exceptions Lead Sheet [ HTML ] [ PDF, 60 KB ] 
  As per Memorandum D17-1-4, all release requests must be presented electronically (EDI). If it falls under one of the exceptions enumerated in the same D-memo, this sheet must accompany the paper release request.
• Contact list
• Scheduled maintenance outages and holiday table
  List of scheduled outages and holidays for the following year.
• Error Codes [ CSV, 371 KB ] [ PDF, 262 KB ] [help with document formats] List of all error codes for ACROSS including electronic release, Advance Commercial Information (marine, air and rail) and Customs Self Assessment program.

The EDI Hotline

To assist clients with technical issues or problems relating to the exchange of data with the CBSA, the EDI Hotline is available.

The EDI Hotline supports several thousand clients who use the CBSA's commercial EDI systems.  These clients include importers, customs brokers, warehouse operators, carriers and couriers.

• How the EDI Hotline works
• ECU Client service offered within regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 17:00, North American Eastern time)
• ECU Client service offered outside of regular business hours
• Information required when calling the EDI hotline
  Detailed list of information you need to provide

System outages

• General procedures to follow during system outages/interruptions:
  Information on the release procedures to follow when a system outage occurs is available here. These procedures apply in all modes.
• Highway System Outage Contingency Plan (optional):
  This contingency plan is an alternative to the general procedures described above for the reporting of goods and/or requesting release of goods in the highway mode. A fact sheet is also available which briefly describes the Systems Outage Contingency Plan options.
• The Electronic Commerce Unit (ECU) of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) sends messages via e-mail to clients advising them of system outages, as well as holidays, exchange rates, tariff updates, interest rates, etc.
  If you would like to receive these messages, you can sign up to this group. E-mail CBSA-ASFC-DIST_Electronic_Commerce_Unit@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca and request to be added.
  
  Note: E-mails are only sent during regular business hours ET. For updates outside of normal hours, please feel free to call the Electronic Commerce Unit (ECU) hotline at 1-888-957-7224. Clients who are already registered to receive e-mail notifications from the Electronic Commerce Unit need not re-register.

More information

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

Electronic Commerce Unit
Canada Border Services Agency
250 Tremblay Road, 6th Floor, West Tower
Ottawa ON K1A 0L8

Telephone:
1-888-957-7224 (calls within Canada and the United States)
613-946-0762 (overseas callers between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET)
613-946-0763 (overseas callers between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. ET)
Fax: 613-952-9979