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 Importing Vehicles from the U.S. into Canada first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.

The post Import Regulations for Engines, Vessels & Off-Road Vehicles 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.