OTTAWA — Canadian carriers say Ottawa’s proposed $400 million electronic manifest program should further enhance the efficiency and security of the land border crossings with the U.S.

Announced last week, the plan requires Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), in collaboration with representatives from the trade community, to come up with an Advance Commercial Information (ACI) project for northbound cargo traffic.

CTA says Canada’s emanifest initiative is a
major undertaking that won’t be easy.

Like the U.S. ACE system, a key component of this initiative will be the creation of an electronic truck manifest that carriers will use to submit cargo, conveyance and crew information to CBSA in advance of the arrival of a truck at the Canadian border. This will allow risk assessments to be made while the truck is en route towards the border, and by the time the truck arrives, a decision on whether to allow the truck to proceed, or refer it for examination, will have already been made.

“This is a major undertaking, and one should have no illusions that it will be easy,” said Canadian Trucking Alliance Chief Executive David Bradley. “However, the current processes in place for northbound truck freight are too reliant on paper and the exercise of judgment by the customs officer as the truck sits at the booth. With the technology now at our disposal, we will be able to modernize the way data flows from carriers to government.

“I see no reason why this initiative cannot streamline the border crossing process and enhance national security at the same time,” noted Bradley, who pointed out the importance of moving forward on border contingency planning as well. “What contingency is there if something were to happen to the Ambassador Bridge? We don’t have a second crossing.”

While funding for ACI is most welcome, Bradley said execution will be key.

The rollout of ACE south of the border reveals just how complex it can be to build a system that gives border agencies what they need to protect security and collect various tariffs and taxes, but at the same time is manageable for carriers from both a cost and operational standpoint, Bradley notes.

“Carriers have invested heavily in the U.S. version of electronic truck manifest. There is a lot to be learned from their experience … A system built on the U.S. model, backed up with significant client support and training resources, will benefit carriers and their importer clients for years to come.