About Electronic data interchange (EDI)

• Are you thinking of using EDI to release your commercial shipments quickly?
• How can your business benefit from ACROSS?
• How do you become an ACROSS participant?
• How does ACROSS work?
• Release process using ACROSS
• What about goods needing a Foreign Affairs import permit?
• Machine Release System (MRS)
• OGD Interface
• CFIA/ACROSS Interface
• Need more information?
• ACROSS Co-ordinators

Are you thinking of using EDI to release your commercial shipments quickly?

Electronic data interchange (EDI) lets you transmit information from one computer to another quickly, easily, and accurately. The Accelerated Commercial Release Operations Support System (ACROSS) lets you, the importer, or the broker use EDI technology to transmit customs release and invoice data to any automated customs office. You can obtain a list of our automated offices from your ACROSS co-ordinator.

EDI is a vital tool in today's marketplace. It is part of the growing trend towards electronic commerce that includes technologies like facsimiles, electronic mail, electronic forms and bar codes.

How can your business benefit from ACROSS?

ACROSS can help you revolutionize your business procedures to meet the demands of an ever-changing market. You can:

• exchange information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week;
• exchange release and permit data electronically, including Foreign Affairs Customs Automated permits;
• process releases for several ports of clearance from one location;
• improve the accuracy of information by exchanging data without rekeying;
• improve service delivery; and
• reduce paper and handling costs by eliminating the photocopying and faxing of your release packages.

How do you become an ACROSS participant?

If you decide to use ACROSS, you'll need a copy of the ACROSS Participants Requirement Document (PRD). It will give you the requirements and technical information on EDI and ACROSS. Copies of the PRD are available from any of the ACROSS co-ordinators.

Once you have reviewed the PRD and completed the application form and memorandum of understanding included in the PRD please forward to :

Systems Operations Division
Major Project Design and Development Directorate
Innovation, Science and Technology Branch
Canada Boder Services Agency
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0L8

Attention: Paul Miller, Manager

Once received, one of our client representatives will contact you to discuss testing.

How does ACROSS work?

You can use the following two methods to send us your release information using ACROSS:

• value-added network (VAN) which acts as an intermediary by giving you communication links and message-forwarding capabilities; and
• Customs Automated Data Exchange (CADEX) line.

Using ACROSS means you do not have to give us paper release packages. However, as a participant, you have to report your confirming declarations (Form B3, Canada Customs Coding Form) using CADEX or Customs Declaration (CUSDEC).

All existing cargo and release services are available through ACROSS, including:

• Release on Minimum Documentation (RMD);
• Pre-arrival Review System (PARS);
• Frequent Importer Release System (FIRST)
• Release on Minimum Documentation OGD (RMD-OGD); and
• Pre-arrival Review System OGD (PARS-OGD);

For more information on these services, see both our booklet called Line Release and Memorandum D17-1-5, Release of Commercial Goods.

Release process using ACROSS

Here is a step-by-step look at the EDI release process.

1. The shipper, exporter, vendor, or carrier sends the importer or broker the shipment information using EDI or facsimile.
   
   
2. Using this information, the importer or the broker prepares the release request.
   
   
3. The importer or broker sends the request to the appropriate office using our CADEX line or a VAN.
   
   
4. We verify the information to ensure it meets our EDI syntax requirements.
   
   
5. If any errors are present (e.g., incorrect format), we send the importer or broker a message using the same route as the incoming transmission. After the corrections are made, the importer or broker must re-transmit the release data.
   
   
6. ACROSS processes the EDI release data.
   
   
7. A customs officer reviews the information and enters a decision into the ACROSS system to recommend release for PARS, release, reject or refer.
   
   
8. When the goods are released, ACROSS sends the importer or broker an electronic release notification through the Release Notification System.
   
   
9. The importer or broker must send the confirming accounting data to the Customs Commercial System within the time limits outlined in Memorandum D17-1-5, Release of Commercial Goods.

What about goods needing a Foreign Affairs import permit?

Canada Border Services Agency and International Trade Canada (ITC) formerly known as the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) exchange permit data electronically. This means you don't have to give us paper import permits.

Your permit is issued by International Trade Canada. They forward the permit information to us electronically for sorting and processing. When you send us your release request, ACROSS matches this information to the International Trade Canada permit.

Machine Release System (MRS)

The Machine Release System is the component of ACROSS that provides automated release decisions for shipments that meet a variety of low-risk criteria. The purpose of MRS is to automate the processing of low-risk and repetitive importations in order to provide inspectors with more time for processing of shipments that pose a greater degree of risk. MRS is an internal program and there is no application process. Shipments regulated by other government departments (OGD's) may still be eligible for automated release, after such time as OGD requirements have been met.

For more information on the Machine Release System please contact
mrs-sma@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

OGD Interface

The OGD Single Window Interface is an enhancement that allows EDI clients to transmit release data to ACROSS that have other government requirements. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) interface is now available on a national basis, along with Natural Resources Canada, Transport Canada and Industry Canada.

Therefore, you may now use EDI for release of goods for the following programs:

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency – Agricultural import requirements
  e.g.: meat, plants, vegetables
  
  
• Natural Resources Canada – Energy Efficiency Office
  e.g.: refrigerators, air conditioners, motors
  
  
• Transport Canada – Road Tires Safety Program
  e.g.: on road tires, retreads
  
  

For each of the above programs, HS Code tables have been prepared in order to assist you in preparing your release package for OGD requirements. Additional data elements for certain departments are required at the time of release and have been added to the latest EDI Phase III Release Maps. Depending on the department involved certain fields must be completed and transmitted along with the release data.

CFIA/ACROSS Interface

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)/ACROSS interface, was implemented nationally on April 6, 1998. It allows importers and brokers to transmit release information on CFIA regulated goods to Canada Border Services Agency who, in turn, transmits it to CFIA. Once CFIA has made their decision regarding the admissibility of the goods, they transmit their decision directly to the CBSA inspector. The CBSA then makes a final decision. Benefits of this interface include:

• simplified release process for agricultural goods;
• reduced paper burden;
• increased accessibility to EDI for release of agricultural goods;
• consistent treatment of imports with CFIA requirements;
• increased focus on high-risk shipments; and
• provision of timely release information for matching and tracking purposes.

The Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) is an important part of the CFIA/ACROSS interface. Through this system, importers and brokers have easy access to current information on agricultural import requirements. The system also allows them to quickly determine the additional data (codes) that must be included in the EDI release message they transmit to us.

Need more information?

For more information on the OGD Single Window Program, contact us by:

Fax (613) 952-9979 or e-mail at ogd@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

If you have questions about ACROSS, contact one of the ACROSS co-ordinators (below), or contact:

Systems Operations Division
Major Project Design and Development Directorate
Canada Border Services Agency
17th floor, Sir Richard Scott Building
191 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa ON K1A 0L8

ACROSS Co-ordinators

For more information on ACROSS, contact your nearest ACROSS co-ordinator.

Atlantic
Tel.: (902) 426-6539
Fax: (902) 426-8825

Quebec/Montréal
Tel.: (514) 283-9944
Fax: (514) 283-9945

Northern Ontario/Ottawa
Tel.: (613) 991-0555
Fax: (613) 991-6895

Greater Toronto Area
Tel.: (905) 612-7974
Fax: (905) 612-7863

Niagara Falls/Fort Erie
Tel.: (905) 354-3239
Fax: (905) 354-2332

Southern Western Ontario/Windsor/St Clair
Tel.: (519) 250-0954
Fax: (519) 972-9816

Prairie
Tel.: (204) 373-2889
Fax: (204) 373-2007

Pacific
Tel.: (604) 666-7690
Fax: (604) 666-2826

Disclaimer

The information was accurate at the time it was posted. However, legislative provisions and requirements can change at any time. We will do our best to give you timely updates.