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Customs Programs
Since a significant amount of fresh fruits and vegetables available in Canada come to us from other countries, customs programs have an extremely important impact on the produce industry.
CPMA’s Government Relations Committee and the CPMA Government Issue Management Working Group examine legislation, regulations and customs programs to determine the impact on the flow of fresh produce across the Canadian border. This includes CPMA representation on the Canada Border Services Agency’s Border Commercial Consultative Committee and its various subcommittees.
There are many different customs programs impacting the produce industry. These include:
A civil penalty regime that secures compliance with customs legislation through the application of monetary penalties.
A joint Canada–United States initiative involving the Canada Border Services Agency and the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP). FAST supports moving pre-approved eligible goods across the border quickly and verifying trade compliance away from the border.
PIP enlists the cooperation of private industry in efforts to enhance border security, combat organized crime and terrorism, increase awareness of customs compliance issues and help detect and prevent contraband smuggling.
A voluntary government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships that strengthen and improve overall international supply chain and U.S. border security. C-TPAT offers trade-related businesses an opportunity to play an active role in the war against terrorism. By participating in this first worldwide supply chain security initiative, companies will ensure a more secure and expeditious supply chain for their employees, suppliers and customers.
Designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, pre-approved travelers into Canada and the United States. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are cooperating in this joint venture to simplify border crossings for members, while enhancing security.
To become a member in this program, you must:
- submit an application and go through a registration process;
- satisfy the eligibility criteria;
- be admissible in Canada and the United States; and
- pass risk assessments by both countries.
eManifest, a major Government of Canada initiative, is about getting the right information at the right time to enhance the ability of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to identify potential threats to Canada, while facilitating the movement of low-risk shipments across the border.
The eManifest initiative is the third phase of the Advance Commercial Information (ACI) program. ACI phases 1 and 2 require air and marine carriers to submit pre-arrival cargo and conveyance information electronically, within advance time frames.
When fully implemented, eManifest will require trade partners in all modes of transportation (air, marine, highway and rail) to submit cargo, crew/passenger, conveyance, secondary and importer data to the CBSA prior to arrival at the border. eManifest is being implemented over a number of years, by client type, using an 18-month implementation timeline. Launched November 1st, 2010.
AIRS is a user-friendly, searchable database of CFIA import requirements. Through a series of questions and answers, the system will lead you through the applicable regulations and policies to information on all CFIA import requirements for specific commodities.
Import Service Centres process import request documentation/data sent electronically or by fax by the importing community across Canada. CFIA staff review the information and return the decision either electronically to Canada Border Services Agency, which then relays it to the client, or by fax directly to the broker/importer, who then submits the release package to CBSA.
As part of the Customs Action Plan, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) introduced the Customs Self Assessment (CSA) program, a progressive trade option for clients who invest in compliance.