Canada Border Services Agency has issued the following communique regarding the requirements to report US cargo remaining on board vessels arriving at Canadian ports:

The purpose of this communiqué is to notify industry that Canada Border Service Agency will further extend the grace period for ACI notification requirements for US-loaded FROB cargo until March 31, 2010.

During this time, carriers will not be required to provide cargo information on US-loaded FROB.  Marine carriers who are able to report US-loaded FROB cargo are encouraged to do so as it provides a valuable opportunity to work out any reporting errors prior to the requirement being enforced.

 

The reporting requirements for U.S. loaded FROB cargo will be reviewed with industry on an annual basis and further extended, based on the environment at that time. 

Prior to enforcing the reporting requirements for U.S. loaded FROB cargo, CBSA will consult with Industry. It is important to note that the CBSA reserves the right to enforce the requirement prior to the end of the grace period.  In this case, industry would be given a minimum of 90 days advance notice.

Effective June 1, 2009, Canadian citizens will be required to present one of the following valid documents when entering the United States by land or water: 

 

• a passport; or
• a NEXUS card; or
• a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card; or
• an enhanced driver's licence/enhanced identification card (from a province where available) ; or
• a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (when approved by the U.S. and when available) ; or 
• a Certificate of Indian Status (until fall 2009) .  

 

Canadian Border Services Officers (BSOs) have been reminded that document requirements and traveller processing procedures for entry to Canada will not change when the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is implemented.  If the BSO is satisfied that the person is a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S., and is otherwise admissible to Canada, that person should be allowed to enter Canada regardless of whether or not they possess a WHTI-compliant document.   Moreover, the U.S. Government has reiterated their policy that they will not, under any circumstance, deny admission to a U.S. citizen solely because they do not possess WHTI-compliant documents. 

 The enhanced driver’s licence/ enhanced identification cards denote both citizenship and identity for Canadian and U.S. citizens and these documents can be presented for entry into the United States and Canada.  This information has been communicated to our BSOs.

Since June 2007, the United States has been accepting NEXUS/FAST membership cards in all lanes at all U.S. land and at water ports of entry.   

 

Under current Canadian policy, NEXUS and FAST members are permitted to use their membership cards for expedited entry into Canada using NEXUS and FAST dedicated lanes only.  NEXUS/FAST members are not allowed to use their membership cards as an indicator of identity and citizenship in regular, non-dedicated lanes. 

 

CBSA is currently reviewing the Canadian policy for the use of NEXUS and FAST cards as an indicator of identity and citizenship in regular, non-dedicated lanes.  We hope to have a final position shortly.  We will report back to the BCCC as soon as possible.

Canada Border Services Agency has issued Customs Notice CN09-002 to reflect changes to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency policy on wood packaging material.  Effective September 1, 2009 phytosanitary certificates from China for wood packaging material will no longer be accepted in Canada due to high rates of non-compliance from China. A valid International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) mark will be the only accepted treatment certification method. 

The Department of Finance is seeking input on proposed changes to the treatment of temporarily imported cargo container under the Customs Tariff.   The Customs Tariff allows for the duty-free and GST/HST-free importation of temporarily imported cargo containers under certain conditions.  The key amendments extend the allowable period of stay from 30 to 365 days and removes the restriction of domestic moves only.  View the posting in the Canada Gazette Part I - February 7, 2009.