What is an ACI eManifest?
ACI eManifest, also known as the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) eManifest or Canadian eManifest, requires highway, ocean, air, and rail carriers to submit electronic cargo and conveyance information to the CBSA before arriving at the border. ACI eManifest also requires freight forwarders and importer self-filers or their customs brokers to submit advance electronic secondary and importer data to the CBSA. All commercial goods bound for or transiting within Canada must be manifested.
Why Was ACI eManifest created?
The ACI eManifest program was established to modernize and streamline the process of cross-border trade in Canada. It plays a crucial role in enhancing both security and efficiency for cargo entering or transiting through Canada. By requiring electronic submissions of cargo and conveyance information ahead of arrival, ACI eManifest allows for improved risk assessment and resource allocation, significantly benefiting carriers, freight forwarders, and importers.
Key Benefits of ACI for Different Trade Participants
- Carriers
- Streamlines entry processes
- Reduces waiting times at borders
- Minimizes the risk of penalties due to noncompliance
- Freight Forwarders
- Facilitates more accurate and timely documentation
- Enhanced predictability of shipment clearance
- Importers
- Improves the reliability of supply chains by ensuring smoother and quicker customs clearance
- Reduced overall shipping times.
What is an ACI eManifest Used For?
ACI eManifest Data Requirements
Who Needs To File ACI eManifest?
For highway carriers, the ACI eManifest requirements are in addition to the release requirements that must be supplied by the importer or their customs broker. For goods to be released at the first point of arrival, the carrier must contact the importer or broker to ensure that the release request is sent to and accepted by the CBSA before arrival. Both the eManifest and release request filing ensure smooth and efficient cross-border trade.
ACI eManifest requirements apply to all carriers and modes of transportation engaging in cross-border trade with Canada, including highway, rail, marine, and air carriers. Each of these carriers is required to electronically submit detailed cargo and conveyance information prior to arrival at the border.
Users Required to File ACI eManifest:
- Highway Carriers: Must submit detailed cargo and conveyance information prior to arrival at the border, which aids in speeding up the border crossing process.
- Rail Carriers: Required to provide precise cargo details and conveyance information to prevent delays and ensure all cargo is accounted for upon entry.
- Marine Carriers: Need to file eManifests well in advance of docking to allow CBSA ample time for security assessments and logistical planning.
- Air Carriers: Must submit their eManifests prior to arrival to facilitate quick processing and turnover at Canadian airports.
- Freight Forwarders: Must ensure that all necessary documentation for the goods they are managing is submitted ahead of time.
Customs brokers play a crucial role in this process, too, as they must coordinate with carriers to ensure that the release requirements for goods are met and that the eManifest and release requests are accepted by the CBSA before arrival.
When to File ACI eManifest?
The filing times for ACI eManifests vary depending on the mode of shipping, reflecting the unique operational and logistical needs of each transport method. Each mode’s timeline is set to optimize the efficiency of the pre-arrival processing and security checks by CBSA.
Specific filing timeframes for each mode of shipping
Mode of Shipping | Timeframe for Filing |
Ocean | 24 hours prior to loading or arrival, depending on the type and origin of goods |
Air | 4 hours prior to arrival or at the time of departure |
Rail | 2 hours prior to arrival |
Highway | At least 1 hour before the driver arrives at the Canada border |
ACI eManifest Data Requirements by CBSA
Accurate and timely submission of ACI eManifest data is crucial for ensuring smooth customs clearance. Precise details aid CBSA in efficient processing and security checks, reducing delays at the Canadian border. Additional data elements may also be required depending on the type of shipment.
Required eManifest data elements:
| Conveyance Information |
|
| Cargo Information |
|
| Vehicle, Driver and Crew Information |
|
| Shipper & Consignee Information |
|
| PARS Number | |
| Trip Information |
|
| Shipment Information |
|
Penalties for Noncompliance with ACI Filing
All trade participants who fail to submit accurate, complete and timely information to CBSA may receive heavy monetary penalties. Fines may also be issued if the carrier or party involved in the shipment fails to inform CBSA that changes have been made to the submitted information. Besides fines, noncompliance often leads to denial of entry, shipment delays and dissatisfied customers.
Monetary Penalties
As of July 5, 2021, the CBSA has updated the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) to issue penalties for noncompliance with electronic house bill (eHBL) requirements. Penalties range from $250 to $8,000, depending on the severity and frequency of the infraction. Specific penalties include:
- $2,000 for first-time failure to submit cargo or conveyance data,
- $4,000 for a second violation,
- $8,000 for third and subsequent violations.
Additional penalties apply for failing to notify CBSA of changes to submitted information, submitting false or incomplete information, or not complying with CBSA notifications regarding the cargo. These start at $500 for the first penalty and escalate to $1,500 for repeated infractions.
Carriers and importer self-filers can correct only lower-level infractions. In addition to the graduated penalty levels (level 1 to 3), CBSA also evaluates the frequency of the infraction or the retention period. Depending on the violation, the retention can range from one to three years. Most infractions have a one-year retention period, after which penalty calculations will start at the first level. Companies with a lower risk assessment profile are least likely to receive strict cargo inspection.
To encourage carriers to take corrective action, CBSA will send letters to carriers or their contacts that are most at risk for noncompliance. The letters will include details of the AMPS, instances of noncompliance, and offers of assistance to address the problem.
How to File ACI eManifest
- Start a New ACI eManifest: Access your ACI eManifest software and select the option to start a new eManifest.
- Enter Trip and Conveyance Details: Input details such as trip number, truck and trailer information, and the estimated time and port of arrival.
- Add Driver Information: Ensure that the driver you have engaged has a valid FAST Card ID or registered ACI ID.
- Add Cargo Details: Include comprehensive cargo information such as description, weight, and quantity. Specify hazardous goods if applicable.
- Add Commodity Information: Detail the commodities being transported, including the Harmonized System (HS) codes for each item.
- Add Shipper and Consignee Information: Provide full names, addresses, and contact details for both the shipper and consignee.
- Add Additional Parties (if applicable): Include details of any third parties or additional delivery destinations.
- Review and Verify Information: Ensure all data entered is accurate and complete.
- Transmit eManifest to CBSA: Submit the completed eManifest to CBSA and await confirmation of submission.
- Confirm Acceptance: Check that CBSA has accepted the eManifest. This can typically be confirmed within a few minutes of submission.
Seamless ACI Filing with CrimsonLogic Solutions
CrimsonLogic simplifies ACI eManifest submissions by harnessing technology to transition from paper-based to fully digital processes. As a CBSA-approved service provider, we offer robust solutions to ensure compliance and streamline cross-border transactions, making high-volume submissions efficient and manageable.
Our ACI eManifest solutions drastically reduce manual intervention by automatically populating fields and eliminating redundant data entry. This, coupled with bulk upload capabilities for high-volume submissions, enhances efficiency and minimizes errors. Real-time error alerts, like port mismatch warnings, further ensure accuracy and compliance, reducing delays and penalties at the border.
Specifically designed for highway carriers, our ACI Highway Software, CrimsonLogic enables high-volume submissions—handling up to 20,000 shipments in seconds, enhancing operational efficiency. Specifically for highway carriers, the system allows cargo to be cleared up to 30% faster than conventional methods. The robust connection to CBSA ensures reliable and swift data transmission, making it an indispensable tool for trade compliance.
