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February 2010
The Canada Border Services Agency's System Outage Contingency Plan – Highway Mode (optional)
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), in conjunction with the Border Commercial Consultative Committee’s (BCCC) system outage sub-committee, has developed procedures for reporting and releasing commercial goods in the highway mode when the CBSA is experiencing a commercial system(s) outage. The CBSA System Outage Contingency Plan – Highway Mode aligns with current import practices. This alternative method does not replace the existing contingency plan (i.e., reverting to a paper release on minimum documentation (RMD) process) and is strictly for use in the highway mode. The procedures outlined in this plan took effect November 30, 2009.
Full System Outage
A full system outage occurs when clients cannot transmit release or cargo information using electronic data interchange (EDI) to the CBSA, nor receive notifications via the electronic CBSA system Release Notification System (RNS). During a full system outage, CBSA employees cannot access the Accelerated Commercial Release Operations Support System (ACROSS) to review or process EDI transmissions.
Current process (available in all modes, including highway)
The process to follow during a system outage in all modes is to revert to a paper Release on Minimum Documentation (RMD) process. During a system outage, the CBSA will accept a paper RMD accompanied, by an EDI Exception Lead Sheet (PDF, 60 KB) indicating “system outage” for processing. Brokers not licensed to submit paper entries at the CBSA office of release require the services of a sub-agent licensed at that port.
Another processing option, effective November 30, 2009
Under the plan, there are now alternative optional procedures to those described above for reporting goods and/or requesting release of goods in the highway mode. These procedures have been developed for the following situations: release at first point of arrival, release at the border when required information is missing, shipments subject to other government department (OGD) regulations, less than truckload (LTL) carriers (non-EDI), EDI-LTL Customs Self Assessment (CSA) carriers, CSA shipments (non-EDI carriers), and goods delivered to a warehouse.
When seeking release of the shipment at the first point of arrival, the carrier presents two copies of acceptable carrier documentation in addition to the 14-digit transaction number (see below for more details). The CBSA accepts faxed copies of the required documentation as long as they are legible.
The CBSA defines acceptable carrier documentation as documentation (two copies) presented by the carrier which must include a bill of lading, waybill, invoice or other documentation (or a combination of these) that provides the following information: consignee name and address, shipper’s name and address, carrier code/cargo control number, number of packages, description and marks, weight, and name of carrier. All OGD requirements must be met prior to release. If the goods are subject to OGD requirements such as a permit, certificate or authorizations, the carrier must obtain these via the broker/importer.
After the carrier provides the documentation at either the primary inspection line (PIL) or, where the PIL is not available, in the commercial office, a border services officer (BSO) must have enough information to make a release decision. When the documentation does not include the required information, including an accurate and concise description of the goods in common trade terms, the shipment will not be released until all required documentation is presented.
If a carrier is unable to obtain the missing information required to release the goods at the first point of arrival, the carrier may make arrangements with the CBSA to have the goods transported in-bond to an inland sufferance warehouse. Prior to authorizing any shipment to move in-bond, the CBSA first determines if the goods are admissible. A non-bonded carrier must post a single trip authorization bond at the Canadian border or be authorized to use the carrier code of a bonded carrier. It is the responsibility of the carrier to notify the importer/broker of the change to the release office and sub-location code where the goods are to be moved.
Presentation of a transaction number on the carrier documentation to obtain release of the goods during a CBSA system outage represents a commitment from the importer/broker to provide the release request within 24 hours after the system is restored, as specified in the plan. There has been no change to the requirement for regular paper entries, such as for a shipment that is subject to OGD requirements, and the normal accounting time frames apply. The interim and final accounting requirements are set out in D Memorandum 17-1-5, Importing Commercial Goods.
For more detailed information, consult BSF5115 CBSA System Outage Contingency Plan – Highway Mode or send inquiries to release-mainlevee@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.
