E-Manifest Changes to the Implementation Timeline for Electronic House Bills

Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) provides new updated information regarding the eManifest implementation timeline for freight forwarders to electronically transmit advance house bill data on consolidated freight to the CBSA within the prescribed mode-specific time frames.

To provide time for the CBSA to fully test and implement enhanced electronic house bill system functionality, the CBSA has determined that the existing timeline for mandatory eManifest house bill requirements should be modified.

A new voluntary period will begin immediately and will be in place for a period of at least one year. During this period no penalties for non-compliance will be issued regarding pre- arrival submission of house bills. Freight forwarders who are transmitting electronic house bills may receive report cards from the CBSA with respect to data quality within their transmissions.

Once a date has been determined, the CBSA will communicate by means of an amendment to this Customs Notice and provide details on when the 6 month zero rated (non-monetary) penalty period will begin. Following the 6 month zero rated period, monetary penalties may be issued for non-compliance.

The requirement to transmit electronic house bill and supplementary data is the liability of the freight forwarder, as defined in the Reporting of Imported Goods Regulations: “freight forwarder” means a person who, on behalf of one or more owners, importers, shippers or con¬signees of goods, causes specified goods to be trans¬ported by one or more carriers. Freight forwarders or carriers who meet this definition may transmit supplementary data or house bill data using their own carrier code.

An interim process, until the systems enhancements are complete will be communicated shortly. Until such time, freight forwarders should either continue to transmit electronic house bills, or revert to the legacy process (submit electronic pre-arrival supplementary data for air and marine shipments (or ensure the related air or marine carrier is transmitting the supplementary data), and present paper house bills post arrival.

Detailed information on the process is provided in Custom Notice 17-15.