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Information Required When Calling the Electronic Data Interchange Hotline
- Accelerated Commercial Release Operations Support System
- Customs Automated Data Exchange
- Advance Commercial Information - Air and marine modes of transportation
- Customs Self Assessment – Carriers and importers
- Release Notification System
Accelerated Commercial Release Operations
Support System
Importers and brokers can use the Accelerated Commercial Release Operations Support System (ACROSS) to electronically transmit release and invoice data for all release types, including entries from other federal government departments.
Information to provide
- the transaction number
- A transaction number is composed of numbers only and is 14 characters. The first five digits of the transaction number is the broker's or importer's account security number (e.g. 12345123456789).
Customs Automated Data Exchange
The Customs Automated Data Exchange (CADEX) system provides importers and brokers with the ability to electronically transmit their accounting documents to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for already-released goods. CADEX entries include B3 transactions, file queries and automatic accounting updates.
Information to provide
- the transaction number
- A transaction number is composed of numbers only and is 14 characters. The first five digits of the transaction number is the broker's or importer's account security number (e.g. 12345123456789).
- the transmission site
- A transmission site is eight characters and is linked to the client's method of communication. A transmission site typically starts with the letter U, is followed by five numbers, and ends in two characters composed of either letters or numbers (e.g. U12345N1 or U12345SA). Clients who are not familiar with this number should contact their technician or software/service provider, who should be able to provide information.
- the batch number
- A batch number is three characters and can be composed of either letters or numbers. This number is generated by clients' systems. Clients who are not familiar with this number should contact their technician or software/service provider, who should be able to provide information.
- the date submitted
- To locate an entry, the date and time the entry was submitted is required.
Please note: The CBSA can only access CADEX data from the previous seven days.
Advance Commercial Information - Air and Marine modes of transportation
The purpose of the Advance Commercial Information (ACI) program is to identify threats to Canada's health, safety and security prior to the arrival of cargo and conveyances in Canada. Carriers and freight forwarders submit electronic cargo and conveyance data to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) within advance time frames.
Information to provide
Depending on the type of data being sent, you will need to provide the CBSA with one of the following pieces of information:
- the cargo control number (CCN)
- Also referred to as a transport document number, a master bill of lading or an air waybill, a CCN is a reference number assigned by a carrier or a carrier's agent to transport a shipment. This number can be up to 25 characters and contain both numbers and letters. A CCN starts with a CBSA-approved carrier code, which is a four-character code assigned to a consortium carrier. A carrier code may be comprised of a combination of numbers and letters or just numbers.
- the supplementary reference number (SRN)
- Also referred to as a house bill of lading, an SRN provides supplementary data for a CCN. This number can be up to 25 characters and contain both numbers and letters. An SRN starts with a carrier code, which is a four-character code assigned to either the carrier or freight forwarder sending the transmission.
- conveyance reference number (CRN)
- This is a unique reference number given by the carrier to a certain journey or departure. This number can be up to 25 characters and contain both numbers and letters. A CRN starts with a carrier code, which is a four-character code assigned to a consortium carrier.
Please Note: The CBSA is unable to search by container numbers.
Customs Self Assessment – Carriers and importers
Customs Self Assessment (CSA) is a progressive approach to the import process that provides for streamlined border clearance, trade data reporting, accounting adjustments, revenue reporting and payment.
Revenue Summary Form – Importers
- Importers requesting information on a Revenue Summary Form (RSF) need to provide the following information:
- the importer's Business Number
- the RSF month
- the unique BGM number (This is a unique reference number found on the BGM segment of the mapping that is generated by clients' systems. Clients who are not familiar with this number should contact their technician or software/service provider, who should be able to provide information.)
X type Customs Automated Data Exchange – B3 – Importers
- As with a normal Customs Automated Data Exchange (CADEX) entry, importers requesting information on a submitted X type entry need to provide the following information:
- the transaction number
- the transmission site
- the batch number
- the date the entry was submitted
Trade chain partner – Importers
- Importers requesting information on a submitted trade chain partner (TCP) for a vendor or a consignee need to provide the following information:
- the importer's Business Number
- the name of the vendor or consignee
- the unique BGM number (This is a unique reference number found on the BGM segment of the mapping that is generated by clients' systems. Clients who are not familiar with this number should contact their technician or software/service provider who should be able to provide information.)
Trade chain partner – Carriers
- Carriers requesting information on a submitted TCP for a warehouse or terminal need to provide the following information:
- the sender's carrier code
- the name of the warehouse or terminal
- the unique BGM number (This is a unique reference number found on the BGM segment of the mapping that is generated by clients' systems. Clients who are not familiar with this number should contact their technician or software/service provider, who should be able to provide information.)
Cargo control number – Carriers
- Also referred to as a rail cargo report, a highway cargo report or an A8A, a cargo control number (CCN) is a reference number assigned by a carrier or a carrier's agent to transport a shipment. This number can be up to 25 characters and contain both numbers and letters. A CCN starts with a Canada Border Services Agency-approved carrier code, which is a four-character code assigned to a Customs Self Assessment-approved consortium carrier. A carrier code may be comprised of a combination of numbers and letters or just numbers.
Conveyance reference number – Carriers
- Also referred to as a rail conveyance report, a highway conveyance report or an A9, a conveyance reference number (CRN) is a unique reference number given by a carrier to a certain journey or departure. This number can be up to 25 characters and contain both numbers and letters. A CRN starts with a carrier code, which is a four-character code assigned to a Customs Self Assessment-approved consortium carrier.
Release Notification System
Release Notification System participants, including brokers, importers, carriers and warehouse operators, are instantly notified when the Canada Border Services Agency releases a transaction or approves a pre-arrival transaction under the Pre-arrival Review System.
Information to provide (one of the following)
- the transaction number
- A transaction number is composed of numbers only and is 14 characters. The first five digits of the transaction number is the broker's or importer's account security number (e.g. 12345123456789).
- the cargo control number (CCN)
- This number can be up to 25 characters and contain both numbers and letters. A CCN starts with a carrier code, which is a four-character code assigned to a consortium carrier.
