CN 15-020, Update to CBSA Break-bulk Exemption – Advance Commercial Information (ACI) Timeframes for Transmission of Break-bulk Cargo – Pre-arrival Marine Mode

1. The purpose of this notice is to inform marine carriers that the requirement to apply for and maintain an authorization to provide the required advance information for break-bulk goods under the beneficial timeframe of 24 hours prior to arrival in Canada was amended on May 6, 2015 under amendments to the Reporting of Imported Goods Regulations.

2. “Break-bulk goods” are commercial goods that are neither transported within a cargo container nor in bulk (e.g. grain stowed loosely in the vessel’s hold) and include goods such as oil and gas equipment, construction equipment, and automobiles.

3. Marine carriers that transport break-bulk goods to Canada are required to provide cargo and conveyance information to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at least 24 hours before the goods are loaded onto the vessel at the foreign port. However, carriers may request an exemption from this requirement and permission to provide this information to the CBSA 24 hours before a vessel’s arrival at a port in Canada.

4. The regulatory amendments extend the beneficial time frame (24 hours before the estimated arrival at a port of arrival in Canada versus 24 hours before the goods are loaded onto the vessel at the foreign port) to all marine carriers transporting break-bulk goods, eliminating the need for marine carriers to complete an application and maintain an authorization with the CBSA.

This notice is available on the CBSA website at: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn15-020-eng.html