Effective May 6, 2015, highway and rail carriers have only 45 days to comply with the data collection and transmission requirements for the eManifest program created by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The regulatory amendments were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II making them legally binding.
The following implementation timelines apply to eManifest requirements for highway and rail carriers:
- From May 6, 2015, to July 10, 2015, the CBSA will provide carriers with a period of transition during which penalties for non-compliance will not be issued. The Agency will work closely with carriers on corrective measures to help them comply with eManifest requirements.
- From July 10, 2015, to January 10, 2016, carriers who do not comply with eManifest requirements may be issued zero-rated penalties (non-monetary) under the CBSA’s Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS).
- Beginning January 10, 2016, carriers who do not comply with eManifest requirements may be issued monetary AMPS penalties.
When fully implemented, eManifest will require all carriers, freight forwarders and importers to send advance commercial information about their shipments electronically to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
For more information, contact Brian Rowe, General Manager – Customs Consulting Services.
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