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Technical guide for the Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS) portal — Appendix I: Error messages

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When using the CERS Portal, descriptive text will be displayed on-screen and within electronic (PDF) error reports to advise the user regarding the source and nature of any errors encountered. The majority of the error messages pertain to data entry errors that are preventing the CERS Portal from saving material (for example, lookup records) or submitting export documents to the CBSA. By reviewing the error messages, the user will be able to troubleshoot and resolve data entry errors independently.

Examples of error messages and corresponding required actions
CERS Portal error message Action required
<Field Name> is mandatory The user needs to assign a data entry to the specified field.
<Field Name> is invalid The specified field has been assigned invalid data. (Example: The user's Export HS Code entry is not recognized by the CERS Portal.) The user must modify the data entry that is assigned to the specified field.

The following section provides a list of error messages that a user may encounter when attempting to upload either a Summary Report file (.xml) or a Bulk Upload file (.txt) into the CERS Portal. Additional notes have been supplied regarding how to troubleshoot and resolve specific data entry errors.

Bulk upload: Error report
Error message Action required
Header record without matching detail record The bulk upload file needs to be updated so that a detail record layout is assigned to the line directly underneath the header record layout. (If required, remove any additional carriage return / line feed entries that are causing the detail record layout to be positioned two or more lines underneath the header record layout.)
The input file must start with a Header line The bulk upload file needs to be updated so that a header record layout is assigned to the first line of the file.
Invalid header record length The user needs to review the contents of the header record layout to check the following:
  • - Is each field is assigned to the correct position within the record?
  • - Has a field been assigned a data entry that exceeds the field's length restrictions?
Invalid detail record length The user needs to review the contents of the detail record layout to check the following:
  • - Is each field is assigned to the correct position within the record?
  • - Has a field been assigned a data entry that exceeds the field's length restrictions?
Invalid permit record length The user needs to review the contents of the permit record layout to check the following:
  • - Is each field is assigned to the correct position within the record?
  • - Has a field been assigned a data entry that exceeds the field's length restrictions?
Invalid container record length The user needs to review the contents of the container record layout to check the following:
  • - Is each field is assigned to the correct position within the record?
  • - Has a field been assigned a data entry that exceeds the field's length restrictions?
Invalid reference record length The user needs to review the contents of the reference record layout to check the following:
  • - Is each field is assigned to the correct position within the record?
  • - Has a field been assigned a data entry that exceeds the field's length restrictions?
Invalid record type The user needs to assign the affected record layout a valid record type code (for example, H for Header record layout; D for Detail record layout).
Code value not valid The affected field has not been assigned a valid data entry. The user needs to update the field and ensure it is assigned a code value that is recognized by the CERS Portal. (Refer to Appendix J for Code tables.)
No association established between BN The affected header record layout has been assigned an exporter Business Number that is either invalid or cannot be used with the current CERS Portal business account. To troubleshoot this error, the user needs to check the following:
  • - Has the header record layout been assigned the appropriate exporter Authorization ID and exporter Business Number?
  • - (If applicable) Has the customs service provider's (CSP) CERS Portal business account been assigned an association that permits the CSP to submit export declarations on behalf of the exporter company of interest?
Authorization ID not valid for bulk upload The affected header record layout has been assigned an Authorization ID that is either invalid or cannot be used with the specified exporter Business Number. To troubleshoot this error, the user needs to check the following:
  • - Has the header record layout been assigned the appropriate exporter Authorization ID and exporter Business Number?
  • - (If applicable) Has the header record layout been assigned the appropriate Service Provider Authorization ID?

Note: Refer to Appendix E for information regarding the Bulk upload: File structure and record layout

Summary report: Error report
Error message Action required
This field is mandatory The user needs to assign a data entry to the specified field.
This field is invalid The specified field has been assigned invalid data. (Example: The user's Export HS Code entry is not recognized by the CERS Portal.) The user must modify the business data entry that is assigned to the specified field.
This field does not match the profile The specified field has been assigned a data entry that is not associated with the CERS Portal business account's Summary Profile. The user would need to contact the CBSA to have the Summary Profile updated if he/she wishes to use the specified data entry.

Affected fields:
   Canadian Place of Exit
   Country of Final Destination
   Export HS Code
   Mode of Transport

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