The Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS) is a self-service web portal that Canadian exporters use to report their exported goods to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). 

CERS replaced the Canadian Automated Export Declaration System (CAED) on September 30, 2020. As a result, exporters (or their Customs Service Provider) must declare all exports electronically through CERS.

What CERS Means for Exporters

CERS offers exporters and their service providers a secure, web-based portal to submit export documents electronically to the CBSA. It includes the same data elements as CAED but offers enhanced features, including:

Online Accessibility & Exporting Efficiencies

Unlike CAED, CERS is web-based with no software to download. It is accessible 24/7 from any computer with an internet connection (CERS Technical Requirements).

The move to a fully electronic system and 24/7 availability means a more efficient export reporting process. As a result, businesses can free up time and resources spent on export documentation and focus on their core operations.

Data Validation and Submission History

CERS allows exporters to validate their export declarations prior to transmitting them to the CBSA. It also provides access to your submission history (back to December 1, 2017) and offers easy access to online help and reference materials.

Electronic Summary Reporting

Before CERS, Summary Reporting Program (SRP) participants had to create and transmit summary reports to Statistics Canada using electronic file transfer.

You may now create and submit Summary Reports electronically by using the CERS Portal online form or uploading an Excel Spreadsheet.

Bulk Uploading

CERS offers a bulk upload feature allowing businesses to upload, review, and submit multiple export declarations to the CBSA.

How to Register for CERS

There are three ways exporters can register to CERS:

1. Register through PF Collins

Exporters who use a Customs Service Provider (like PF Collins) to manage their export transactions can complete form BSF831 and then forward it to PF Collins at shipment@pfcollins.com for submission to CBSA.

Upon successful submission, CBSA will link us to your Business Account. Your will receive notification of the linked account and we will then be able to manage your export activity on your behalf.

2. Current CAED and SRP Users

CBSA has developed an onboarding schedule to help current CAED and SRP participants transition to CERS.

A CERS Portal Business Account is automatically issued to businesses that have used CAED or SRP from December 1, 2017 to December 1, 2019. You should receive a letter from the CBSA with instructions to activate your CERS account during the onboarding event.

If you have not received your activation instructions, email CBSA CERS Inquiries.

Note: Exporters using the G7 EDI to submit export declarations (and only plan on using this system) do not need to use the CERS portal.

3. New Exporters

Businesses who have not previously exported or have not used the CAED or SRP systems from December 1, 2017 to December 1, 2019 must register for CERS by completing form BSF831 and emailing it to the CBSA Export Program.

CBSA will then send you a letter with instructions to activate your CERS Business Account.

Visit CBSA’s Get Started with Electronic Export Declarations for more information on registration.

Getting Started with CERS

To complete activation of your CERS Business Account, you will need to ensure you have an active Canadian exporter account. You will also need to decide who will manage your account and export activity on your behalf, and what features they will be able to access.

1. Confirm your Export Account is Active

Before activating your CERS Business Account, we recommend ensuring your Export Account with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is active. To do this, contact the CRA’s Business Window at 1-800-959-5525.

If you are a new exporter, you will need an Import/Export account. Import/Export accounts are identified by a company’s unique 15-digit Business Number, followed by a two-letter business account ‘RM’ (e.g. 123456789RM0001). Import/Export account numbers are entered on documents submitted to CBSA for customs clearance and are only used when importing or exporting.

To register for a Business Number or add an import/export account to an existing Business Number:

• Contact the CRA’s Business Window at 1-800-959-5525, or;
• Register online using the Business Registration Online (BRO)

2. Designate a Portal Account Owner

Once your Import/Export account is active, you will need to designate an Account Owner. The Account Owner is an individual within your company who is responsible for activating your CERS Business account. They will also assign additional users within your company.

If your business has multiple Import/Export RM accounts, then each RM account will require a business account owner and activation.

Note: Exporters using a Customs Service Provider (like PF Collins) only need to contact CRA to confirm their export account is active. We can then assist in registering and managing your export activity on your behalf.

3. Obtain GCKeys for Designated Users

Once you have identified your Portal Account Owner and other key users within your organization, they will require login credentials. To login to the CERS Portal, each user must obtain their own GCKey or login through a Sign-In Partner:

• A GCKey is a unique, electronic credential issued by the Government of Canada that allows you to securely access online government services, called Enabled Services.
• Sign-In Partners are private sector financial institutions that allow you to login to Government of Canada online services using your existing online credentials (e.g. bank card numbers or usernames/passwords).

Information & Resources

To further clarify and assist with registration and use of the CERS portal, CBSA has provided several resources:

• Get Started with Electronic Export Declarations
• Quick Reference Guide to the Canadian Export Reporting System
• CERS Client Support and Contact Information
• Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document (ECCRD)

The post Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS) first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.

The post AMPS Penalties to Increase April 1 first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.

---

The Single Window Initiative (SWI)

The Single Window Initiative (SWI) is an initiative of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that allows importers submit all information related to their shipments electronically for customs clearance.

SWI helps importers meet the requirements of multiple government departments through the use of a single, electronic customs declaration.

---

How SWI Works

Through the Single Window portal, importers are able to submit one electronic customs entry containing all required details and supporting documentation required by CBSA and the Participating Government Departments and Agencies (see below).

There are currently nine (9) PGAs participating in SWI. Each PGA requires their own unique type of information and documentation. It is the Importer’s responsibility to ensure that all required data is accurate and submitted to CBSA and the PGA at the time of customs clearance.

Once received, the PGA and CBSA assesses the data submitted and makes a decision on customs clearance of the shipment.

Note: Some Other Governmental Departments (OGDs) still require paper submission of documents to CBSA at the time of clearance.

---

Participating Government Agencies (PGAs)

The SWI portal collects information for the CBSA and the nine PGAs for 38 government programs. Government departments and agencies participating in SWI include:

• Canada Food Inspection Agency
• Transport Canada
• Global Affairs Canada
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Natural Resources Canada
• Health Canada
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
• Environment and Climate Change Canada

CBSA provides data requirements for each PGA and applicable products, with more data elements being posted as they become available.

---

Integrated Import Declaration (IID)

Under SWI, importers and customs brokers will submit an electronic Integrated Import Declaration (IID) to CBSA. The IID replaces the Pre-Arrival Review System (PARS) and Release on Minimum Documentation (RMD) service options and captures additional information required by the PGDs listed above.

The IID applies to both pre- and post-arrival and can be submitted to CBSA up to 90 days prior to the arrival of the goods.

Note: The legacy Other Government Department (OGD) release systems, PARS and RMD, were decommissioned as of August 17, 2020.

---

What SWI Means for Importers

The Single Window Initiative will mean that the amount of information required to clear your shipments may change and/or increase.

Therefore, to manage these requirements and avoid delays at the border, we recommend that you submit all required licenses and/or permits for PGA-regulated goods with your shipping documents.

If using a Customs Broker to clear your goods, you should provide all the required information and supporting documents related to your shipment to your broker.

---

We Can Help!

PF Collins can help ease the transition to SWI and answer any questions you may have about the program.

If you have any questions regarding the Single Window Initiative or any other import/export matters, please contact us

Contact Us

The post The Single Window Initiative (SWI) first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.

---

What is the Administrative Monetary Penalty System?

The Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) allows the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to issue monetary penalties to anyone involved in the import or export of goods. This includes importers, exporters, carriers, freight forwarders, warehouse operators, and customs brokers.

AMPS was created by the CBSA to encourage compliance with import and export rules and regulations. It also serves to create a level playing field for Canadian businesses participating in international trade.

---

AMPS Penalties by the Numbers

In 2017, recommendations from the Auditor General’s Spring Report resulted in significant changes to CBSA’s processes and procedures, including increased border enforcement and compliance audits on importers. AMPS penalties have continued to rise each year since.

As of the CBSA’s most recent July 2020 – November 2023 statistics report, the AMPS contraventions totaled nearly $37 million CAD in penalties issued.

---

Assessment of Penalties

AMPS penalties result when a company fails to follow the rules and requirements of the Customs Act, Customs Tariff Act, and other government regulations.

CBSA maintains a Master Penalty Document listing all contraventions. It also describes the failure to comply and the associated penalty amount. Examples of non-compliance include:

• Failure to pay duties
• Not submitting required information and documents to the CBSA
• Not reporting goods to the CBSA
• Removing goods from a bonded warehouse prior to customs release by the CBSA

A CBSA Officer can issue an AMPS penalty at the border or through audit after customs release. Penalties may also result from a Trade Compliance Verification conducted by the CBSA. The CBSA manages trade compliance verification by conducting audits randomly or by identifying specific products as audit targets. See the latest target products:

Trade Compliance Audit Targets January 2024

---

What Happens if You Receive an AMPS Penalty?

You will receive a Notice of Penalty Assessment (NPA) from the CBSA. The NPA will describe the reason for penalty assessment, the corresponding contravention number (e.g. C005), and the penalty amount incurred. The penalty structure is graduated and progressive, with increased penalty amounts for repeat occurrences. The maximum penalty amount for a single contravention is $25,000. 

CBSA maintains a record of contravention history for three (3) years. This can affect your business operations due to increased monitoring and inspections when importing or exporting goods.

---

How to Avoid Non-Compliance

Importers and exporters are ultimately responsible for providing accurate and complete information to the CBSA regarding their shipments. Therefore, understanding the requirements related to your imports and exports is the first step to remaining compliant.

Working with vendors and services suppliers, including Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders, and regularly reviewing your international trade activities will also help to avoid being fined under AMPS.

Finally, we recommend developing a compliance plan to ensure accurate records related to your imports and exports are maintained. 

---

Helpful Resources

• National Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMPS) Statistics
• Quarterly Reports of Administrative Monetary Penalties
• AMPS Master Penalty Document

---

We Can Help!

Whether you require a Customs Broker or Customs Consultant to accurately classify and clear your goods or to help guide you through a compliance audit, we can help.

Contact us today for help with all of your international shipping needs!

Contact Us

The post The Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau affixed his signature to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) this past weekend. This deal is still not done and is dependent on the European Parliament’s approval and ratification by 28 EU countries, which could take years.

Approximately 200 reservations to CETA were made on behalf of Canada’s provinces & territories. One example is Newfoundland and Labrador’s rights to maintain and regulate the exploration and development of hydrocarbons, such as oil production. Other items controlled by Canada include forestry, gambling, natural resources, and alcohol.

Under CETA, duty will be relieved on an estimated 99% of goods. Beneficiaries, such as the textile and agricultural sectors, will obtain a huge advantage. Canada will be able to export larger quotas of pork, beef, and wheat to the EU countries. In turn, EU dairy producers will benefit by the ability to send more than double the amounts of the current quota of “high quality” cheeses to Canada.

CETA opens up major trade lanes for Canada to the EU countries, resulting in a reduced dependency on the USA. The EU market has a potential market to Canadian companies of 508 million consumers, representing an estimated trade boost for Canada of $12 billion Canadian dollars per year. For comparison, Canada’s population is currently 38+ million and the USA, 340+ million.

The post CETA Signing Just the Beginning first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.

A drawback is a refund of customs duties on imported goods that are eventually exported. Under CBSA’s Duty Drawback Program, you can even claim a drawback on imported goods that were sourced from a supplier in the domestic market!

Qualifying for a Drawback

If you are the importer, exporter, processor, owner or producer of the goods, you may qualify for a drawback if one of the following applies:

1. You are directly or indirectly involved in importing goods that are later exported in the same condition they were imported or
2. Goods were further manufactured or
3. The imported goods were used in a limited manner to produce other goods for export

Time Limits

In most cases, you have to present a claim no later than four (4) years from the date the goods were first imported. You cannot file a claim until you have exported the imported goods.

The post Importing or Exporting? Duty Drawback Program first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.

There are two ways to handle these importations under current regulations:

1. Memorandum D17-1-4 – Known Short Shipment (Paragraphs 103-108)
2. Memorandum D13-3-10 – Split Shipments

Applying the correct procedure will ensure you pay the minimum amount of duties while remaining compliant with import legislation. It will also save you the time of creating breakdowns of values in relation to every sub-component — all that is required is a packing list detailing the items within each load at time of clearance.

The following are examples of the types of commodities that may be affected:

• Cranes & hoists
• Ski lifts
• Assembly line
• Oil rigs
• Lot purchase
• Prefabricated buildings
• Large systems or machinery

The post Importing Large Equipment in Multiple Loads? first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.

To improve maritime safety and mitigate risks to the safety and security of the crew, ship, and cargo, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently adopted amendments to the International Convention of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requiring mandatory weight verification for packed containers being loaded onto vessels. Effective July 1, 2016, all shippers must provide the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of packed containers to ocean carriers prior to loading. Without the VGM provided on a signed shipping document, carriers and terminals will not be allowed to load the containers.

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) sets the global standards for the safety and security of the international shipping industry. Its mandate is to provide a regulatory framework that covers all aspects of international shipping, including the stability and safe operations of ships as well as the safe handling, packing and transport of containers. Investigations into several major maritime accidents over the past decade have determined that overweight containers played a key role in the incidents.

Overview of SOLAS Verified Gross Mass (VGM) Guidelines

The following provides a brief overview of the SOLAS VGM guidelines:

• VGM requirements come into effect on July 1, 2016.
• The shipper named on the Ocean Bill of Lading is responsible for submitting the VGM
• The VGM must be verified by signature of an authorized representative of the shipper
• Equipment used to calculate the VGM must meet national certification and calibration standards
• Estimating weight is not permitted
• Ocean carriers/terminals will not load containers without the VGM
• Enforcement of VGM rules falls under the aegis of local governmental agencies responsible for maritime affairs (e.g. Transport Canada)

Calculating the VGM

SOLAS guidelines provide two methods for calculating the VGM:

Method 1: Weighing the Packed Container

After packing and sealing a container the shipper may weigh the container or arrange for a third party to weigh the packed container.

Method 2: Calculating Cargo + Dunnage + Tare

The shipper (or third party arranged by the shipper) may weigh all packages and cargo items, including the mass of pallets, dunnage and other packing and securing material to be packed in the container, and add the tare mass of the container to the sum of the single masses of the container’s contents.

For More Information

Transport Canada has issued a Ship Safety Bulletin regarding the new VGM regulations and published the Canadian Procedure for Obtaining the Verified Gross Mass of Packed Containers as Required by SOLAS VI/2.

PF Collins is working closely with governmental agencies, carriers, and our global supply network to ensure compliant implementation of the SOLAS guidelines and to ensure our clients remain informed of further developments.

The post Notice: New Container Weight Verification Requirements first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.

Importers and exporters are ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with import/export laws and regulations related to their shipments and declarations made to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

CBSA manages trade compliance on Tariff Classification, Valuation and Origin programs by performing audits either randomly or through risk-based verification priorities. Targeted goods may be carried over from previous years or newly added throughout the year.

A full list of the targeted goods on the verification priority audit schedule can be found here. The full listing with findings may also be found on CBSA’s website.

If you have already been contacted by CBSA concerning an audit, PF Collins can help by representing your company throughout the process, increasing your chances of obtaining a favourable outcome. We can also assist in helping you establish a customs compliance program to ensure maximum compliance with CBSA’s trade programs, as well as minimized costs associated with audits.

The post Importing or Exporting? What You Should Know About Customs Audits first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.