The Customs Self Assessment Program

Fact Sheet - July 2004

The Customs Self Assessment (CSA) program was launched in December 2001. This initiative fundamentally re-engineers the customs commercial process by partnering the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) with pre-approved traders.

CSA improves the CBSA's understanding of its commercial clients and it eliminates many of the traditional import impediments, which means processing low-risk U.S. shipments more quickly.

Importers approved to participate in the CSA program also enjoy the benefits of:

• a streamlined accounting and payment process for all imported goods; and,
• a streamlined clearance process for eligible goods when an approved carrier and driver registered with the Commercial Driver Registration Program (CDRP) are involved.

CSA also means that businesses can take better advantage of their own business systems. The streamlined accounting and payment process gives importers the ability to use their own business systems and processes to trigger trade data and revenue reporting. The streamlined clearance process also allows for the clearance of eligible goods based on the identification and validation of the approved importer, approved carrier and registered driver.

How does CSA work?

In order to take advantage of the benefits of the CSA program, applicants must undertake a comprehensive 3-part pre-approval process:

• In Part I, clients must undergo a risk assessment to demonstrate that they have a history of compliance;
• In Part II, applicants must show that their business processes as well as books and records have the necessary linkages, controls, and audit trails to support CSA requirements; and
• In Part III, clients must commit to meeting their obligations under the program by signing a client undertaking with the CBSA.

In addition, commercial drivers will have to apply and be approved for the CDRP, which includes a rigorous pre-screening process. Once approved in the CDRP, the driver will be issued a photo-identification card with a bar code, which must be presented upon arriving at customs.

With CSA, the CBSA will now have the ability to capture and analyze the passage history of approved importers, approved carriers and registered drivers. This feature of the program is important as an effective tool for managing risk at the border.

Shipments cleared through the CSA process, like all other shipments, may be subject to examinations.

CSA-approved carriers and importers will continue to be subject to post-audit verifications. CBSA Compliance Managers will monitor the results of such activities, as well as the compliance record of approved clients.

The CSA program allows the CBSA to focus its efforts on trade and drivers of higher or unknown risk.

This strengthens customs' ability to protect the health and safety of Canadians while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade.

Through the Customs Action Plan 2000-2004, the Government of Canada is investing $18.4 million on the design, development and national implementation of the CSA program.

For more information on CSA, visit our Web site at: www.cbsa.gc.ca/import/csa/menu-e.html

CSA is the foundation for the FAST Program, a binational program between Canada and the United States for processing low risk commercial shipments along our shared border.

For more information on FAST, visit our Web site at: www.cbsa.gc.ca/import/fast/menu-e.html