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.

The purpose of this web page is to provide general information on the ACI program. For complete ACI guidelines please refer to the following Customs Departmental Memorandums (D-Memos):

Air

• D3-2-1 - International Commercial Air Traffic and Conveyance Reporting
• D3-2-2 - Air Cargo – Import and In-Transit Movements

Marine

• D3-5-1 - Commercial Vessels in International Service
• D3-5-2 - Marine Cargo – Import Movements

ACI Carrier Requirements

• Marine Mode
  Requirements, procedures and frequently asked questions for marine carriers.
• Air Mode
  Requirements, procedures and frequently asked questions for air carriers.
• 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 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 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, requiring air carriers and freight forwarders, where applicable, to electronically transmit conveyance, cargo and supplementary cargo data to the 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.

Questions regarding the eManifest initiative may be directed to: eManifest@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Contact Information

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