Electronic House Bill - Common Questions

10 Common Questions About Canada ACI eManifest House Bill

1. What is an 8000 series freight forwarder code, how can I apply for it?

To transact business with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), freight forwarders require a carrier code. Both Canadian and foreign freight forwarders are eligible to apply for a bonded or non-bonded carrier code with the CBSA. To apply, simply download the carrier code application form for bonded or non-bonded freight forwarder carrier code and follow the instructions to complete. It is free of charge and takes generally 10-14 days for the CBSA to process.

2. What is the difference between a bonded and non-bonded freight forwarder carrier code?

A non-bonded 8000-series carrier code may only be used to transmit ACI S10 supplementary data and non-consolidated house bill data only.

A bonded 8000-series carrier code may be used to transmit ACI S10 supplementary data, consolidated and non-consolidated house bill data to the CBSA. A bonded freight forwarder applying for a bonded carrier code posts security with the CBSA to cover various situations such as the movement of goods inland beyond the First Port of Arrival (FPOA) for clearance and the movement of goods in-transit through Canada.

3. What is the reporting time frame for electronic House Bills and House Bill Close Message?

Marine (other than from USA: 24 hours prior to loading
Marine from USA: 24 hours prior to arrival
Air: 4 hours prior to arrival or at time of departure
Rail: 2 hours prior to arrival
Highway: 1 hour prior to arrival

4. Does ‘back-to-back’ shipments consolidations require house bill reporting?

Yes. A back-to-back shipment is a 'single' shipment where one primary carrier bill of lading is consigned to the freight forwarder and one house bill is consigned to the importer. A emanifest house bill is required for any shipment with a house bill of lading.

5. Is S10 supplementary report still required or is it replaced by eHBL?

The current S10 supplementary reporting in ACI is still required to report FROB shipments. This option may be made available in future in eHBL.

6. What is the difference between a primary Cargo Control Number (CCN) and a previous Cargo Control Number (CCN)?

Primary CCN: The Cargo Control Number of the Cargo Control Document that was used to report [section 12(1) of Customs Act] the goods at the FPOA.

Example: The freight forwarder who has contracted with the primary carrier (e.g. the master loader) submits the required house bill data to the CBSA. After transmitting their house bill data, the freight forwarder submits a house bill close message that links all their house bills to the primary CCN submitted by the carrier. In a single-tier consolidation scenario, the previous CCN is the primary CCN.

Previous CCN: Cargo Control Number of the Cargo Control Document that immediately preceded the document in question in the chain of cargo control.

Example: Subsequent freight forwarders who have contracted with freight forwarders in the same consolidation (e.g. co-loaders) submit the required house bill data to the CBSA. After transmitting their house bill data, the freight forwarder submits a house bill close message that links all their house bills to the previous CCN submitted by the freight forwarder directly above them to declare closure of their shipment(s). In a multi-tiered consolidation scenario, the previous CCN is the consolidated house bill transmitted by the freight forwarder above you.

Note: It is important to remember that the lower level freight forwarders or co-loaders must quote the Previous CCN on their House Bill Close Message and not the Primary CCN. If a lower level freight forwarder quotes the primary CCN this will prevent the first level freight forwarder or master loader from submitting their House Bill Close Message.

7. What is a close message?

A document which provides information to the CBSA about the various shipments arriving to Canada by linking various House bill documents together. After transmitting their house bill data, the freight forwarder submits a house bill close message that links all their house bills to the previous CCN submitted by the freight forwarder directly above them to declare closure of their shipment(s) in a multi-tiered consolidation. Alternatively, the freight forwarder submits a house bill close message links all their house bills to the primary CCN submitted by the carrier with a back-to-back shipment scenario.

8. What is a Deconsolidation Notice?

The Deconsolidation Notice is the notice to the terminal giving 'authorization to move' cargo. It is not a Customs release. Basically, the Deconsolidation Notice is a notice that the liability for duty and taxes is transferred from the primary carrier to the 8000 bonded freight forwarder. If you have back-to-back / single eHBL with a primary terminal as the Port of Destination, you must ensure the goods are actually Customs released before they are delivered to the consignee/ importer.

9. When do I submit a “change” or “amend” to update my cargo information?

A “change” can be made from the time the highway cargo or house bill cargo was submitted, up until the time prior to report. If the Highway Cargo or House Bill Cargo Document is in a “reported” or “arrived” status, then the client must submit an “amend” to update the document.

10. Can I change the document number of a CCN or CRN once it has been submitted?

No, you cannot change the document number of a CCN or CRN once it has been submitted. If you have entered the information incorrectly, you must cancel the incorrect document and then create the correct CCN and/or CRN and submit to the CBSA.