Understanding the new Canadian Export Reporting System

Submitted by admin on Tue, 06/23/2020 - 06:52

If you’re a Canadian exporter, you know all about the B13A Export Declaration form. The highly detailed document has to be filled out every time your goods leave Canada. 

But the paper reporting process under the Canadian Automated Export Declaration (CAED) system is being phased out. In its place, you’ll be able to report your exports electronically with the new Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS)—a move I call B13A 2.0! Due to COVID-19, the shutdown of the old system, initially scheduled for June 30, has been postponed until Sept. 30, 2020.

What is CERS?

CERS, unlike its predecessor, is fully electronic. Its online portal is your entry point to a single, straightforward reporting system. With the implementation of CERS, there’ll no longer be a paper trail. 

The advantages of CERS include: 

  • Secure transmission of export declarations and summary reports to the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA)
  • Data validation before you declare your exports
  • Easy access to your declaration submission history
  • Easy access to online help and reference materials

As with CAED, you normally don’t need to file a CERS declaration for goods going to the United States or worth less than $2,000...

This was excerpted from a 22 June 2020 commentary by Emiliano Introcaso, Export Help Advisor, Export Development Canada.