Eligible importers, brokers and carriers may use ACROSS. All existing cargo, conveyance and release services are available via the system, including, but not limited to, the following methods of release:
CBSA offers a wide range of service options for importers, many of which involve EDI technology; for a complete list, visit their Web site.
There are three methods of transmission by which clients may exchange information with Customs:
ACROSS also improves the enforcement capabilities of Customs. The system allows Customs to dedicate more time to preventing the entry of illicit goods into the country. It also provides a sophisticated method for targeting high-risk shipments.
Other Government Departments (OGD) Single Window Interface
A few years after the implementation of ACROSS, clients were provided with the option of electronically transmitting release information that has OGD requirements. Clients currently use this feature to reduce or eliminate the need for the issuance of paper documents to meet OGD requirements.
For more information on the OGD Single Window Program, send your request by fax to (613) 952-9979 or visit the OGD Web site.
Release of Goods Using ACROSS and EDI
A simple sequence of steps is required to release goods using ACROSS and EDI:
A technical manual has been assembled to provide clients with ACROSS and EDI data format requirements. Copies of the ACROSS Participant's Requirement Document (PRD) may be obtained from the Electronic Commerce Unit in Ottawa at 1-888-957-7224.
What's new in ACROSS?
The CSA program will provide CSA-approved importers with the benefits of a streamlined accounting and payment process for all imported goods. The streamlined accounting and payment process eliminates the requirement for CSA-approved importers to maintain separate and costly customs processes, allowing them to use their own business systems to trigger a trade data report and to self-assess customs duties and taxes.
The CSA program also provides CSA-approved importers, CSA-approved carriers, and registered drivers with the benefits of a streamlined clearance option for CSA eligible goods. The streamlined clearance option eliminates the requirement for any transactional transmissions of data related to eligible goods. The option allows for the clearance of goods based on the identification of the CSA-approved importer, approved carrier, and registered driver at the border.
To take advantage of the benefits of CSA clearance, accounting, and payment, a comprehensive risk assessment, which includes a rigorous pre-screening of advance information, must be performed.
The streamlined accounting and payment process will be used for all CSA approved importers' importations, regardless of the clearance option used to import the goods. The streamlined clearance option will only be used for CSA-eligible goods.
RFD is a service option that allows importers or agents to obtain the release of a shipment by submitting release and accounting information in a single EDI transmission, while deferring the payment of duties and taxes to a later date (usually on a monthly basis).
Importers or agents can transmit the information either before, or when, the shipment arrives. If they have an established relationship with a known supplier, they can submit the release and accounting information to customs officials before the release of the goods. These importers or agents may be interested in the RFD process.
Although the RFD process is a G7 Initiative, it is not restricted to shipments from G7 countries.
Statistics Canada and Canada Customs and Revenue Agency have jointly developed a software to improve the quality and the completeness of reported data. The software captures the data to a local database and then formats the data for the electronic submission to the Federal Government.
The ACI introduces more effective risk management processes and tools to identify threats to our health, safety, and security prior to the arrival of cargo and conveyances in Canada.
In support of these enhanced risk assessment processes, the CBSA is requiring key data to be transmitted electronically before goods and conveyances arrive in the country. This data will be processed through a sophisticated targeting tool to detect high-risk shipments. At the same time, legitimate low-risk shipments will be cleared more quickly.
The Excise Act, 2001 is a revised federal commodity taxation system for the application of federal excise levies in respect of alcohol and tobacco products.
For every shipment, customs systems will verify that the importer does have the appropriate endorsement for alcohol other than beer.
If you require personal assistance contact the Customs Client Services Office closest to you (see Related Reading: Customs Offices - Supplement or from Canada Border Service Agency's Web site for a list of addresses).
Quebec Contact(s):
See National Contact.