Commercial reporting requirements
Requirements by client type

Air carriers transporting goods into Canada must transmit cargo and conveyance data electronically to the CBSA prior to arrival.

The CBSA must receive and validate cargo and conveyance data a minimum of four hours prior to arrival in Canada or at time of departure if the flight is less than four hours in duration.

Freight forwarders must electronically transmit advance house bill data on consolidated freight to the CBSA. The CBSA must receive and validate data within the time frames specified by mode.

A voluntary compliance period is in effect. Penalties for non-compliance will not be issued during this period. For more information, refer to Customs Notice 20-28 – R2 Release.

Highway carriers transporting goods into Canada must transmit cargo and conveyance data electronically to the CBSA prior to arrival.

The CBSA must receive and validate cargo and conveyance data a minimum of one-hour before the shipment arrives at the border.

Marine carriers transporting goods into Canada must transmit marine cargo and conveyance data to the CBSA within prescribed time frames prior to arrival or prior to loading (depending on the type and origin of goods). Refer to Memorandum D3-5-1, Marine Pre-load/Pre-arrival and Reporting Requirements to verify the specific timeframes.

Pre-Arrival Notification (PAN)

Advance Commercial Information (ACI) does not change the Pre-Arrival Notification (PAN) process. Arrangements to clear a vessel in international commercial service can be made with the local CBSA office and with the submission of a completed BSF732, National Targeting Centre – Pre-arrival Notice, to the National Targeting Centre via email, either by the ship's agent or master 96 hours prior to arrival of the vessel. The complete inward report package — form E1, Ships Stores Declaration; Crew List (FAL form 5) and Passenger List (FAL form 6), if applicable, the form BSF552, Crew's Effects Declaration — must be presented to the CBSA prior to any persons being allowed to disembark or embark the vessel, or any cargo being discharged.

Rail carriers transporting goods into Canada must transmit cargo and conveyance data electronically to the CBSA prior to arrival.

The CBSA must receive and validate cargo and conveyance data a minimum of two-hours before the conveyance arrives at the border.