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Customs Notice 12-001
January 18, 2012
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Mandatory Electronic Reporting Policy for Exporters
1. This notice provides information on the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA's) new Mandatory Electronic Export Reporting Policy for exporters and explains how to report export data electronically when exporting goods by any mode of transportation.
2. In order to fulfill its mandate, the CBSA requires exporters to declare their export shipments destined to non-US destinations according to timeframes by mode.
- marine – no less than 48 hours before the goods are loaded onto the vessel;
- air – no less than two hours before the goods are loaded onto the aircraft;
- rail – no less than two hours before the railcar containing the goods is assembled to form part of the train for export;
- postal – no less than two hours before the goods are delivered to the post office where they will be mailed;
- any other mode – immediately prior to the exportation of the goods.
3. Effective April 1, 2012, the CBSA will take steps to eliminate the manual reporting process form (B13A) for exporters and implement mandatory electronic reporting. The CBSA is now updating the applicable regulatory requirements to mandate electronic export reporting.
4. This policy direction does not impact exporters who have been approved to report their exports using the Summary Reporting Program option. In addition, when electronic permit reporting options are not available, the requirement to present a paper copy of the electronic export declaration and OGD permit at the CBSA office closest to the point of exit remains unchanged.
5. The receipt of electronic declarations from exporters will provide the CBSA and its partners with increased data quality and more accurate, consistent information. Electronic reporting aligns Canada's Export Program with the reporting processes in other countries and is consistent with the overall direction of the CBSA's commercial program.
6. Exporters will note several benefits from this change in policy: the elimination of the paper B13A and its preparation and processing costs; elimination of the requirement to physically present B13As at a CBSA office for stamping; expedite goods shipped via courier as these shipments would normally be held by the courier if the declaration has not been reported to the CBSA in accordance with the reporting timeframes.
7. There are two options available for exporters who choose to report electronically –
the Canadian Automated Export Declaration (CAED) and the G7 Export Reporting Electronic Data Interchange (G7-EDI). The CAED is a downloadable software available free of charge on the Statistics Canada website at: www.statcan.gc.ca/exp. The G7-EDI option requires an investment from the exporting company and provides a direct link to the CBSA's ACROSS System. Information on becoming an EDI-G7 participant may be obtained at the following website: www.cbsa.gc.ca/eservices. To register, or if you require more information on how to report your goods electronically using CAED or G7-EDI, you may contact the CAED/G7 helpline at: 1-800-257-2434.
8. The implementation date is targeted for April 1, 2012. In order to provide exporters sufficient time to register for CAED or G7-EDI, the transition period will be in place until the regulations are implemented.
9. For additional information regarding this notice, please contact:
Canada Border Services Agency
Export Programs
150 Isabella Street, 10th Floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0L8
Telephone: 613-954-7160
Email: export@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
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