Frequently Asked Questions

General Topics

Questions

Inspection of goods

1. Next year, the stamping of a B13A for ocean shipping 48 hours before loading of the container onto a vessel will become law. How will this process work for ocean freight containers?

Permits

1. I export a controlled product to the US. However, since the B13A Export Declaration is not required for exports to the US I have no way to record that my product is being exported under cover of a General Export Permit (GEP). How should I proceed?

2. My company sells a modified American product, but the changes are not sufficient to make it a product of Canadian origin. Typically, a shipment of this product sells for just over $1,000.00 CDN. As a result of this we do not complete a B13A Export Declaration. This means that we are unable to comply with the requirement to provide the "GEP 12" statement in the Export Permit/Licence No. field. Can you tell me what the recommended procedure is in such situations?

Record keeping

1. There are three copies of the B13A. Does the third copy go to the agent? Is the airline not expected to hold B13A declarations on file?

Summary reporting

1. We prepare B13A declarations a few days after a vessel has sailed. This is because the quantity is not determined until the final tonnage is loaded. Furthermore, the value of a shipment is not determined until after analysis results are received two or three days after completion of loading. What should we do?

Inspection of goods

1. Next year, the stamping of a B13A for ocean shipping 48 hours before loading of the container onto a vessel will become law. How will this process work for ocean freight containers?

   Example
   An exporter loads a container on Thursday in Peterborough. The container is then sent to either CN Brampton or CP Obico. Later that day it leaves by rail for Montréal. The ship will leave Montreal on Sunday. The B13A is stamped at Infield on Thursday morning. The CBSA decides to inspect the container on Friday. However, the container is now on its way to Montréal. Will the CBSA inspect the container in Montréal?

   The clock starts ticking as soon as the B13A is given to the CBSA. If the goods are leaving by rail for Montréal, the B13A must be presented two hours before the goods are loaded on the train. This way the goods could be inspected at Brampton, CP Obico, or in Montréal, before they were loaded on the ship as part of the 48-hour requirement.

   We expect exporters and agents to start following the new rules (e.g., meeting specified times) as soon as we issue a customs notice on the rules later this year. This should give everyone time to become familiar with the new procedures before penalties are applied. Penalties associated with time frames and other changes to the regulations will not apply until the new regulations are implemented.

Permits

1. I export a controlled product to the US. However, since the B13A Export Declaration is not required for exports to the US I have no way to record that my product is being exported under cover of a General Export Permit (GEP). How should I proceed?

   We are currently consulting with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) to resolve this issue. Until a new procedure is introduced, you should print a copy of the applicable GEP and provide the CBSA with a copy that we will in turn submit to DFAIT.

2. My company sells a modified American product, but the changes are not sufficient to make it a product of Canadian origin. Typically, a shipment of this product sells for just over $1,000.00 CDN. As a result of this we do not complete a B13A Export Declaration. This means that we are unable to comply with the requirement to provide the "GEP 12" statement in the Export Permit/Licence No. field. Can you tell me what the recommended procedure is in such situations?

   We are presently reviewing this matter with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). So far, we have determined that DFAIT wants the CBSA to gather the information on their behalf. As an interim solution we suggest that you provide the CBSA with a copy of GEP 12 which is available at
   http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/E-19/index.html

Record keeping

1. There are three copies of the B13A. Does the third copy go to the agent? Is the airline not expected to hold B13A declarations on file?

   There is no requirement for a carrier to keep a copy of the B13A on file. However, the carrier has to make sure the shipment was reported. Recording the number of the transaction, CAED, or summary report on a manifest will prove the carrier's obligation was met.

Summary reporting

1. We prepare B13A declarations a few days after a vessel has sailed. This is because the quantity is not determined until the final tonnage is loaded. Furthermore, the value of a shipment is not determined until after analysis results are received two or three days after completion of loading. What should we do?

   Ask about the possibility of becoming a summary reporter. Use this reporting option for bulk goods when you will not know the weight or value of goods until after loading. Summary reporting is not allowed for strategic goods that require a permit from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. A new procedure is being developed for exporters who want to apply to become summary reporters. For more information on summary reporting, contact the export co-ordinator in your region.