All-in-one warehouse arrival reporting platform

The Release Notification System (RNS) promptly notifies CBSA release decisions, facilitating electronic communication with registered CBSA-licensed sufferance warehouses. Our platform enables filers to submit arrival messages and status queries.

CBSA-licensed sufferance warehouses will transmit Warehouse Arrival Certification Messages (WACM) upon inland cargo arrival, notifying the CBSA of their commercial shipments’ arrival. Subsequent RNS messages provide shipment status updates, including release confirmation or examination notifications. 

WACM is required in various scenarios to facilitate the arrival and transfer of liability process at inland destinations. Here are the instances when WACM is required:

Flying Trucks: WACM is necessary for flying trucks exempted from transmitting eManifest cargo. Despite receiving an ERC 01 – no CCN on file rejection message, submitting WACM for flying trucks fulfills the obligation to transmit the notification before the physical arrival of goods.

Non-Commercial Goods: WACM must be submitted for casual goods arriving at the sufferance warehouse if they come into Canada on a commercial conveyance. This includes retail goods or personal/settler effects sold to individuals and imported into Canada.

Split Shipments: While WACM is not required for split shipments, it must be submitted when the last split shipment arrives at the warehouse.

Consignments with Exemption or Exception to eManifest Data or Paper Cargo Control Documents: Warehouse operators need to transmit WACM for all types of paper cargo control documents, such as house bills, A8A, and re-manifests. Despite receiving an ERC 01 – no CCN on file rejection message, this submission fulfills the mandatory obligation for transmitting WACM to the CBSA.

Warehouse operators who physically receive goods into their sufferance warehouse are responsible for transmitting WACM. To do so, they must be registered participants in the CBSA’s RNS and use EDI. Typically, the warehouse operator indicated on the cargo as the final destination warehouse is charged with transmitting the WACM.

Under Section 14 of the Customs Sufferance Warehouse Regulations, all CBSA licensed sufferance warehouses are mandated to acknowledge the physical receipt of goods electronically through the RNS. Previously, warehouse operators could endorse the bill of lading as proof of liability transfer. However, with the mandatory requirement for WACM for all receipts, warehouse operators have two options:

• Use a third-party service provider accredited by the CBSA for sending/receiving the WACM message.
• Collaborate with the Technical Commercial Client Unit (TCCU) to set up for the Release Notification System.

To participate in the RNS service, warehouse operators or their third-party service providers must register and have their systems tested by the TCCU. Detailed information on participation in the RNS program can be found in the Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document or by contacting the TCCU at 1-888-957-7224 or via email at tccu-ustcc@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.

Warehouse operators who are registered participants in the CBSA’s RNS, using an EDI method, when commercial goods physically arrive at the inland sufferance warehouse to which they are destined. 

You will need an Account Rep, Partner/Referral Account ID, Subloc Code, Company Name, Operating/Trade Name and Company Address. 

When your account setup is successfully completed by our Billing Department, you’re all set to begin filing and submitting your RNS WACM. 

If you are a warehouse operator and have not yet established electronic notification capabilities with CBSA, you must take action to comply with Section 14 of the Customs Sufferance Warehouses Regulations, which mandates the acknowledgment of goods receipt electronically. 

Previously, warehouse operators could use the bill of lading as proof of liability transfer. However, with this amendment, non-automated sufferance warehouses have only two options to meet this requirement:

• Contact the Technical Commercial Client Unit (TCCU) to set up for RNS (Release Notification System).
• Utilize a service provider registered with the CBSA, such as CrimsonLogic to facilitate electronic notifications.

Failure to comply with this requirement may result in non-compliance penalties and disruptions to warehouse operations. Therefore, it is imperative to take proactive steps to ensure compliance with CBSA regulations.