Customs Notice 26-12: Arctic Shipping Electronic Commercial Clearance Pilot Program (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 season)

Eligibility requirement

5. There is a two 'Part' process for carriers to participate in the ASECC 2026/27 season. Part 1 is the application by the carrier to participate in the season whereas Part 2 outlines requirements for submission of individual voyage information.

6. Please note that consolidated shipments are prohibited from participating in the ASECC pilot program and must report to the nearest C/VESS specifically designated for the clearance of vessels, type of cargo and method of carriage.

7. Part 1: Application by the carrier for participation in the ASSEC pilot program

The Carrier is the lowest legal entity that holds an active bonded CBSA approved carrier code that must submit a Business Profile Application form BSF786 prior to May 15th, 2026 to Nunavut_Clearance@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca, with a copy to the CBSA National Targeting Centre (NTC) at cbsa-asfc-pans-apa@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.

1. New applications to the ASECC pilot program received after May 15th, 2026 will be reviewed and processed on a per case basis only if submitted to the CBSA four (4) weeks in advance of leaving the foreign port.
2. Throughout the season, CBSA must be informed of any updates to vessel ownership, new or removed vessels from the from the original application.
3. Vessel additions will be assessed accordingly and approval/denial will be given to the carrier for the vessel(s) to participate in the ASECC pilot program.
4. After the Part 1 approval process, marine carriers still have an obligation to fulfil the reporting requirements under section 12 of the Customs Act. Approval or denial to report to the CBSA electronically and travel directly to the Arctic will be provided after the review of the part 2 ASECC voyage information.
5. It is important to note that approval of Part 1 application is approval to participate in the program only. Individual voyage(s) require a Part 2 application that requires additional approval before proceeding to the Arctic location.
6. Without a Part 2 approval, vessels are required to report to a designated Commercial Vessel (C/VESS) location.

8. Part 2: Individual voyage submission requirements

Under the Customs Act, carriers, regardless of where they arrive in Canada, whether near a CBSA designated Commercial Vessel port (C/VESS) or not, are required to report all cargo and conveyances to the nearest CBSA office designated for that purpose that is open for business.

1. A complete Part 2 package is required per vessel/per voyage and must be provided seven (7) days in advance of departure from the foreign port.
2. A submission of the Part 2 package submission should be sent to:

   the CBSA NTC at cbsa-asfc-pans-apa@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca and to the applicable region where approval is being sought.

   For Nunavut include: nunavut_clearance@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
   or
   For Quebec include: cbsa.marinequebecmain-maritimequebeccentre.asfc@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

3. The complete Part 2 package consist of:
   1. Pre-Arrival Notice (PAN)
   2. ACI cargo and ACI conveyance data (for vessels carrying cargo onboard)
   3. Paper A6 inward (for in-ballast vessels)
   4. Crew List (any changes must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure).
      Note: crew must have the appropriate travel document(s).
4. In the case of vessels transporting goods with Other Government Department (OGD) requirements, documentation required for release request must be submitted to the reporting region seven (7) days in advance of departure from the foreign port. Should the OGD-regulated goods need to be examined, the vessel will be obligated to report to a C/VESS port.

5. For carriers submitting conveyance and cargo information, and Customs Brokers submitting release request information, the following port and warehouse codes should be used for transmitting ACI ("FPOA/Port of Report" on the ACI conveyance report and "FPOA/Port of Report" and "Port of Destination" on the ACI cargo report) and release requests ("Port of Release"):

   Nunavut:

   • Port Code – 485 (Ottawa)
   • Warehouse Code – 9485 (Ottawa)

   Québec:

   • Port Code – 312 (Quebec)
   • Warehouse Code – 9312 (Quebec)

9. Assessment of the Part 2 submissions takes into account the following eligibility requirements:

1. (a) the remainder of the Inward Report Package is submitted within required timeframes.
2. (b) if ACI is required prior to the seven (7) days in advance of leaving the foreign port, ACI regulated timeframes must be adhered to, eligible carriers must have a strong history of compliance with CBSA policy and regulations.
3. (c) carriers must demonstrate that vessel routing would make it impractical/cost prohibitive for the vessel to arrive at a designated C/VESS port.
4. (d) any other eligibility requirements or considerations.

The CBSA maintains the authority to:

1. reject the allowance of an electronic report;
2. direct any vessel to a designated C/VESS port;
3. make arrangements with carriers to clear marine vessels and cargo while they are anchored at sea on a special service or cost recovery basis.

For vessels carrying containers

In addition to the above Part 2 information, for vessels that are carrying containers, whether empty or not, are subject to radiation screening.

10. For each voyage requesting an exception to transport containerized cargo, additional information on the containerized cargo is required and an analysis conducted prior to an exception being granted. The carrier must provide the vessel name and voyage details, a detailed list of the containers, vendor information, country of origin, consignee, shipper, importer, commodity details, weight, dangerous good code (if applicable) and chemical compositions of cargo.

11. Although Part 2 information is indicated seven (7) days prior to the vessel's departure from the foreign port, it is strongly recommended for carriers intending on transporting containerized cargo to submit their intention to the reporting region for each voyage at least three (3) weeks prior to leaving the foreign port. Last minute requests to transport containerized cargo will not be granted as the CBSA requires a sufficient amount of time to review the request, analyse the cargo, and communicate the exception decision to the carrier.

Other requirements

12. All carriers requesting processing under the ASECC pilot program will be required to use ACI to submit their pre-arrival data and arrival message.

13. Marine carriers must hold a bonded carrier code for alternate processing, as a bond is required any time unreleased goods move beyond the first port of arrival.

14. The CBSA strongly encourages ASECC participants to submit release request documents for all goods, including those not regulated by OGD requirements, as part of their Part 2 application. That is, within seven (7) days in advance of the vessel's departure from the foreign port.

15. All carriers are reminded of their obligation to report any illnesses/health issues related to communicable disease on board to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) quarantine officer for assessment as soon as possible prior to arrival at a Canadian port. In addition to providing this information to the CBSA NTC and the host region, carriers must notify PHAC by emailing phac.cns-snc.aspc@canada.ca. Should a carrier need to reach a quarantine officer urgently, please call 1-833-615-2384. PHAC should be notified if there are concerns with respect to a communicable disease illness.

16. Through the CBSA's compliance program initiatives, administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) and through the leveraging of Government of Canada partners such as the Canadian Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Department of National Defence and Transport Canada, the CBSA will ensure vessels destined for arctic ports are compliant with CBSA alternate processing directives, regulations and policies.

For all inquiries related to this notice and the ASSEC pilot program please direct your email to:
nunavut_clearance@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca