This multimodal initiative introduced by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is a major part of the Customs Action Plan to better manage risks by identifying health, safety, and security threats at the border. ACI requires key data for ocean, air, rail and truck shipments to be transmitted electronically before arrival in Canada.

Monetary penalties can be assessed against companies that fail to comply with the ACI advance reporting timeframes.

Highway (Land)

	ACI Highway eManifest is an extension of the ACI ocean and air initiatives that will require the electronic transmission of advance cargo and conveyance information to CBSA from carriers for all highway shipments before entering Canada. CBSA ACI Highway eManifest is the Canadian equivalent of the U.S. CBP Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) eManifest program. Transmission of highway cargo and conveyance data must be received and processed by the CBSA at least an hour before arrival at First Point of Entry.

Timelines to Implementation 0-12 months: All eManifest transmission options are publicly available. Highway carriers will have 12 months to incorporate eManifest requirements into their business processes. 12-18 months: Transmission of eManifest becomes mandatory. CBSA will offer a 6-month grace period, where zero-rated penalties will be issued for non-compliance. 18 months+: The implementation timeline is complete; regulations will be enforced. Penalties will be issued for non-compliance.

Roll Out Schedule:

Highway carriers Winter 2011 All submission options  are available to the public. Winter 2012 ACI eManifest submission becomes mandatory. Spring 2013 Rolling enforcement period complete. Monetary penalties AMPS assessed for non-compliance.

Ocean (Marine)

	ACI requires marine carriers to electronically transmit marine cargo data to the CBSA 24 hours prior to loading cargo at a foreign port (including the U.S.). If the voyage is less than 24 hours in duration, the cargo and conveyance data must be reported at the time of departure from the foreign port.

Ocean Reporting Features

CrimsonLogic’s WebCustoms allows trade participants to submit the full array of CBSA mandated requirements, such as Conveyance Reporting (A6) and Cargo Reporting (A6A). A Supplementary Reporting (S10) feature is available for containers consigned to freight forwarders. In such cases, the carrier must provide the freight forwarder with the original Cargo Control Number (CCN).

WebCustoms also relays Risk Assessment Notices when applicable. "Do Not Load," "Do Not Unload," "Hold," and "Cancellation" messages are sent back through the portal. These messages are easily accessed, enabling users to rapidly take the appropriate corrective measures.

Timeframes for Conveyance Reporting:

International Cargo Conveyances with containerized cargo 96-hours Prior to Arrival Conveyances with non-authorized break-bulk cargo 96-hours Prior to Arrival Conveyances with authorized break-bulk cargo 24-hours Prior to Arrival Conveyances with bulk cargo 24-hours Prior to Arrival Conveyances with empty marine containers 96-hours Prior to Arrival United States Cargo Conveyances with containerized, bulk or break bulk or empty containers 24-hours Prior to Arrival

Timeframes for Supplementary Reporting :

International Supplementary Cargo Containerized cargo 24-hours Prior to Loading Non-authorized break-bulk cargo 24-hours Prior to Loading Authorized break-bulk cargo 24-hours Prior to Arrival Bulk Cargo 24-hours Prior to Arrival Empty marine containers 96-hours Prior to Arrival United States Supplementary Cargo Containerized, bulk or break-bulk 24-hours Prior to Arrival Empty marine containers 4-hours Prior to Arrival

Air Cargo

	ACI Program requires all air carriers and freight forwarders to electronically transmit conveyance, cargo and supplementary cargo data to the CBSA four hours prior to arrival in Canada. If the flight is less than four hours in duration, conveyance, cargo and supplementary cargo data must be reported at the time of departure from the foreign airport.

Air Reporting Features

Similarly to ACI Ocean, WebCustoms allows trade participants to submit the full range of CBSA mandated requirements, such as Air Conveyance Reporting (ACVR), and Air Cargo Reporting (ACR) and Split Shipment Reporting (SSR). A Supplementary Cargo Report (SCR) feature is available for shipments consigned to freight forwarders.

WebCustoms also relays Risk Assessment Notices when applicable. "Hold" and "Hold Cancellation" messages are sent back through the portal. These messages are easily accessed, enabling users to rapidly take the appropriate corrective measures.

Timeframes for Air Conveyance Reporting Conveyances with commercial cargo and a flight more than of four hours Four hours prior to arrival Conveyances with commercial cargo and a flight less than four hours Time of departure Commercial cargo on a flight more than four hours Four hours prior to arrival Commercial cargo on a flight less than four hours  Time of departure Supplementary cargo reports for commercial cargo on a flight more than of four hours  Four hours prior to arrival Supplementary cargo reports for commercial cargo on a flight less than four hours Time of departure

Who is Responsible for Data Transmission?

The CBSA requires all marine, air, rail and highway carriers to transmit conveyance and cargo reports (including supplementary cargo reports where applicable). This is for all conveyances that are loaded with commercial goods and arrive at a port in Canada. The requirement applies to all import, in-transit and Freight Remaining on Board (FROB) shipments.

Although the carrier is responsible for cargo reporting, freight forwarders are permitted to transmit supplementary cargo reports directly to the CBSA.

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