CBSA Transmitting Accurate eManifest Cargo Data

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Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association Jan 13, 2012

The purpose of this communication is to advise clients transmitting eManifest highway carrier data to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) of the importance of transmitting an accurate Cargo Control Number (CCN).

CBSA Policy Decision:

When the highway carrier and shipment arrive at the border, the driver is required to provide a lead sheet to the CBSA Border Services Officer (BSO). The lead sheet will contain:

• a bar-coded Conveyance Reference Number (CRN), or
• a bar-coded Cargo Control Number (CCN) with a handwritten CRN, or
• a handwritten CRN if an alternate bar-coded document is also being presented with the lead sheet [e.g. a Pre-Arrival Review System (PARS) document with a bar-coded PARS number].

The CBSA requires a bar-code to enable the BSO to quickly scan the number into the CBSA system and link to the data transmitted prior to arrival.

The carrier will either:

a) provide the driver with a bar-coded PARS number specific to each shipment so that the carrier knows which PARS number is being used and will also use the same number when transmitting their eManifest cargo data to the CBSA prior to arrival, or
b) the driver will contact the carrier as soon as a PARS number is used for a shipment (similar to how they notify the broker today), and the carrier will then know which number to electronically transmit to the CBSA.

It is very important that all carriers understand that when using PARS, the electronically transmitted CCN must exactly match the PARS number used on arrival at the border, inclusive of the acronym “PARS”, where applied.

For example, if the bar-coded PARS number that the driver provides at the border for a shipment is “1234PARS56789”, then the CCN that the carrier electronically transmits prior to arrival must also be “1234PARS56789”. It is not a requirement to embed the letters ”PARS” into a PARS number, but if a carrier does embed letters into the PARS number the driver provides at the border, then the carrier must use the identical number in their eManifest electronic cargo transmission.

Clients are also reminded to pay particular attention when using the letters “I” and “O” and the numbers “1” and “0” in their CCNs or PARS numbers that they use the same letters/numbers when quoting the CCN in both the pre-arrival eManifest transmission and in arranging for the broker’s release documents.

Carriers will experience delays at the border when the transmitted CCN does not match the PARS number provided by the driver. Additionally, carriers who have Release Notification System (RNS) capabilities will not receive RNS messages. Inaccurate CCN transmission by carriers could result in sanctions for non-compliance including the issuing of penalties under the Administrative Monetary Penalties System (AMPS) when eManifest requirements for highway carriers become mandatory on November 1, 2012.

For additional information on eManifest requirements, refer to the eManifest section of the CBSA Web site. If you have questions, contact the eManifest Help Desk at eManifest-manifestelectronique@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.