Fact Sheet

May 2013

eManifest – Making the Border Smarter and More Secure

eManifest is a transformational initiative that will modernize and improve cross-border commercial processes.

When fully implemented, eManifest will require carriers, freight forwarders and importers in all modes of transportation (air, marine, highway and rail) to electronically transmit advance commercial information to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) within prescribed mode-specific time frames.

When will eManifest be implemented?

eManifest is being implemented over a number of years, by client type.

Highway Carriers: The CBSA completed the deployment of electronic systems (Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and eManifest Portal) for highway carriers to transmit advance cargo and conveyance data in 2011.

An informed compliance period is in effect. Regulations to enforce eManifest requirements for highway carriers are expected to be in place in Fall 2013. The CBSA anticipates being able to provide carriers as much as 45 days advance notice of the mandatory compliance date.

During this informed compliance period, carriers will not be denied entry to Canada or subject to penalties for reasons associated with eManifest non-compliance.

The CBSA will continue to assist clients in becoming eManifest-compliant through communications, outreach, compliance monitoring and other support activities.

Once regulations are in place, non-compliant carriers could be subject to penalties.

Rail Carriers: The CBSA deployed EDI systems for rail carriers to transmit advance cargo, conveyance and conveyance arrival data in May 2012.

Regulations to enforce eManifest requirements for rail carriers are expected to be in place in Fall 2013. The CBSA anticipates being able to provide carriers as much as 45 days advance notice of the mandatory compliance date.

The CBSA strongly encourages all carriers to adopt eManifest requirements before they become mandatory.

Once regulations are in place, non-compliant carriers could be subject to penalties.

Freight Forwarders: Freight forwarders have been able to transmit electronic house bill data as of June 9, 2013.

Importers: The CBSA will deploy electronic systems enabling importers to transmit advance trade data in July 2014.

How to send advance trade data to the CBSA

Clients will transmit prescribed advance data to the CBSA using one of the existing Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) methods (i.e. Direct Connect to the CBSA, Customs Internet Gateway, Value Added Network and Third Party Service Providers) or the eManifest Portal.

The eManifest Portal allows clients to securely transmit data through the Internet and is designed primarily to facilitate compliance and ease the transition from paper reporting to pre-arrival electronic data transmission for small- to medium-sized businesses.

What are the requirements for commercial clients?

Detailed information is available in the eManifest section of the CBSA Web site. When final, requirements for commercial clients will be made available through documents including the Reporting of Imported Goods Regulations, Customs Notices, D-Memoranda and Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Documents (ECCRD).

What are the benefits of being an early adopter?

The CBSA encourages clients to adopt eManifest requirements before they become mandatory to benefit from:

• a modernized and more efficient commercial border process;
• more time to prepare for eManifest requirements by conducting EDI systems' testing, registering for access to the eManifest Portal, adjusting to eManifest processes and correcting problems;
• the CBSA's online resources and client support including eManifest requirements and Portal documentation; Webinars, workshops and presentations; an eManifest Help Desk and Technical Support Unit; compliance monitoring and support; and
• a reduced likelihood of non-compliance when requirements become mandatory.

Visit the CBSA Web site (www.cbsa.gc.ca) regularly for updates and additional information.