TORONTO, Ont. – The Canadian Trucking Alliance has announced today it is pleased with the publishing of Canada Gazette Part II which outlines changes to regulations regarding eManifest information required by Canada Border Services Agency prior to arrival in Canada.

The publishing indicates to highway carriers that there are now 45 days to comply with CBSA’s Advanced Commercial Information (ACI) eManifest requirements for all trucks coming into Canada. eManifest requires the electronic transmission of manifest information from highway carriers at least one hour prior to the trucks’ arrival at the first port of entry into Canada.  The information identifying the truck, trailer, shipment(s) and driver can be sent to CBSA through a free web based portal or through a direct connection to the CBSA or through a service provider.

“CTA members have been voluntarily submitting e-Manifests to CBSA for nearly five years now,” said Alliance CEO, David Bradley. “While there have been growing pains, the process has shown to expedite cross-border truck traffic so the fact that we finally have a date for when the program becomes mandatory means things should improve further.”

After the 45 day period is over, CBSA will begin to issue “zero-rated” AMPS penalties, where there is no money owed to the CBSA, but a penalty has technically been issued.

The “zero-rated” AMPS period will last for six months, after which, full AMPS will apply, including monetary fines.

CBSA has indicated that 90% of highway carriers are ready for eManifest. However, carriers are encouraged to communicate this notice to shippers and customers as they will need to provide information to carriers in advance and ensure descriptions and piece counts are accurate for all goods.  Failing to do so could result in delays at the border as well as contribute to potential fines for the carriers.

More information including exceptions and exemptions can be found at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/faq-eng.html