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The Advance Commercial Information (ACI) Program requires marine and air carriers to electronically transmit marine/air cargo data to the CBSA 24 hours prior to loading cargo at a foreign port (including the U.S.). This requirement allows the CBSA to effectively identify threats to Canada’s health, safety, and security prior to the arrival of cargo and conveyances in Canada.

Data Transmission

Reporting Data


Advance Timeframes for Reporting

The following chart summarizes the advance timeframes for reporting conveyances reports, cargo reports and supplementary cargo reports.

Conveyance Reporting Timeframes
(cargo loaded in a Country other than the U.S.)
Conveyances with containerized cargo 96-hours Prior to Arrival
Conveyances with non-authorized break-bulk cargo 96-hours Prior to Arrival
Conveyances with authorized break-bulk cargo 24-hours Prior to Arrival
Conveyances with bulk cargo 24-hours Prior to Arrival
Conveyances with empty marine containers 96-hours Prior to Arrival
Conveyance Reporting Timeframes
(cargo loaded in the U.S.)
Conveyances with containerized, bulk or break bulk or empty containers 24-hours Prior to Arrival
Cargo and Supplementary Reporting Timeframes (cargo loaded in a Country other than the U.S.)
Containerized cargo 24-hours Prior to Loading
Non-authorized break-bulk cargo 24-hours Prior to Loading
Authorized break-bulk cargo 24-hours Prior to Arrival
Bulk Cargo 24-hours Prior to Arrival
Empty marine containers 96-hours Prior to Arrival
Cargo and Supplementary Reporting Timeframes
(cargo loaded in the U.S.)
Containerized, bulk or break-bulk 24-hours Prior to Arrival
Empty marine containers 4-hours Prior to Arrival

* If the duration of the voyage is less than the reporting timeframe required, reports must be transmitted at the time of departure.




Last updated: 2006-08-04 Top of page
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