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What Is the Canadian Single Window Initiative (SWI)?
What is CBSA IID?
Important IID Dates for Commercial Importers or Brokers
Mandatory Use of IID
GeTS' IID/CADEX Solution
Starting April 1, 2019, the use of the Single Window and Integrated Import Declaration, also called CBSA IID, became mandatory for all applicable import transactions in Canada. The Canadian Single Window Initiative (SWI) aims to streamline the import process and reduce paperwork among participating government agencies (PGAs), including Transport Canada (TC), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN).
The Single Window allows filers, customs brokers and trade participants to submit customs entry information, certificates, licenses and other data to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and PGAs from a single declaration. Transmitted electronic data is shared among other these agencies for easy access, processing, monitoring and management.
The Canadian Single Window Initiative (SWI) is a program that streamlines the sharing of commercial import data between the Government of Canada and the import community. It balances government needs with a competitive business climate. With a single declaration, the government can gather the data it needs for risk assessment, and trade participants can reduce time and labor spent on multiple electronic submissions while complying with import regulations.
Besides the CBSA, nine government departments and agencies representing 38 government programs participate in the Single Window Initiative. The Single Window is a single point for the trading community to submit advance electronic import information to the CBSA. In other words, the CBSA and PGAs collect required import data from a single declaration, instead of multiple submissions. Information previously provided to the CBSA and PGAs after the arrival of goods in Canada will now be required to be submitted BEFORE the carrier bearing the goods arrives at the border.
The Canadian SWI aims to:
Eliminate duplicate and redundant data requirements
Reduce paperwork and associated costs
Align Canadian customs processes with the U.S. CBP and the World Customs Organization (WCO)
Simplify border processes
The Integrated Import Declaration (IID) is a critical part of the CBSA Single Window Initiative. The CBSA IID simplifies reporting and electronic document processing by gathering all required import information in a single report. For filers, this means that electronic import data for both the CBSA and applicable PGA/s must be provided in the IID.
The CBSA IID gathers electronic import information required by different agencies in one place to simplify the submission and cargo clearance process. Instead of submitting documentation separately for each regulating agency, filers can do it in one report from an online or integrated submission portal.
As can be expected, the CBSA IID contains more data fields than the current declaration to capture information required by the CBSA and other PGAs in order to release the cargo. The IID can be used for both PGA and non-PGA-regulated imports, including agricultural products, steel, textiles, clothing, consumer products, human drugs, medical devices, controlled substances, energy-using products, rough diamonds, vehicles (with exceptions) and biological toxins/pathogens.
PGA licenses, permits, certificates and other data can be provided on an IID and validated by PGAs before cargo arrival. License, Permit, Certificate and Other Documentation (LPCO) information that cannot be populated into IID fields may be submitted as digital image through the Document Image Functionality. Some PGA regulations continue to require that a LPCO accompany the shipment into Canada.
The general timeframe for submission is before cargo arrival, but the IID can be transmitted to the CBSA for processing up to 90 days before the arrival of the goods (applies to certain commodities) at the first point of arrival (FPOA).
Last April 1, IID replaced previous import data transmission packages and has been the only report the CBSA accepts. Release option 463 (OGD PARS) and 471 (OGD RMD) were originally scheduled to be decommissioned and replaced by the IID in April 2018, but the deadline was extended to April 1, 2019 to support the transition to the SWI.
December 7, 2018. A reminder was issued for all importers of plant, animal and food products (filers who submit declarations to the CBSA and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)) that the deadline to become certified to use the Integrated Import Declaration (IID) process is fast approaching.
January 1, 2019. Filers of electronic import declarations should have completed testing and been certified for use of the new IID process.
February 4, 2019. The CFIA's National Import Service Centre (NISC) started reducing the hours of service for manually processing import declarations transmitted through the OGD-PARS and OGD-RMD processes. This is expected to increase processing turnaround time by 2 hours.
March 8, 2019. The IID became the only EDI option for the release of certain regulated goods. The agencies and programs for which the IID will be mandatory are CFIA (all programs), Transport Canada (Tires Program), and NRCan (Energy Efficiency Program). Other service options will be available for remaining agencies and programs.
April 1, 2019. After this date, manual and automated Import transactions will no longer be processed in OGD-PARS or OGD-RMD. Import transactions will only be processed by the CFIA via the SW IID.
In general, filers are required to submit electronic import information to the CBSA before the cargo arrives in Canada. This rule is aligned with the U.S. Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) single window program and the bilateral Beyond the Border initiative.
Because the Canadian Single Window Initiative is an ongoing project, importers should be aware of updates and changes to maintain compliance. The following changes apply to IID filers and other trade participants:
Initially, three PGAs made the use of the SWI for information exchange mandatory starting April 1, 2019. Government agencies have different data requirements; make sure to check the list of requirements and applicable imports on the agency’s website when preparing electronic documentation.
Certain products are regulated by multiple PGAs. In this case, each PGA’s data requirements must be met to comply with cargo release requirements under the SWI.
Filers must submit additional import or PGA data under SWI. Expect to transmit more data and documents for each SWI transaction or import before the cargo enters Canada.
The Integrated Import Declaration (IID) replaced EDI OGD PARS (Pre-Arrival Review System) and EDI OGD RMD (Release on Minimum Documentation) release processes on April 1, 2019. This means that the IID has become the ONLY import data transmission package accepted by the CBSA starting April 1. Failure to comply, as well as missing, incomplete or inaccurate data may lead to delays and penalties.
GeTS is a CBSA-approved IT service provider helping importers, filers, customs brokers and other trade participants comply with SWI rules and other regulations. GeTS works closely with the industry and government agencies to develop tools that streamline the cargo clearance process while helping clients optimize compliance.
GeTS urges filers to meet compliance requirements to avoid delays, penalties and business disruptions. If you are not ready for the transition to SWI and IID, GeTS can help. GeTS is a CBSA Certified Provider of industry-leading Integrated Import Declaration (IID) solutions. We can help you with the IID testing and certification process as well as providing the necessary technical support.
To learn more about solutions for CBSA IID , visit our IID page or contact us today!
