Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has confirmed its intent to decommission certain legacy electronic cargo release options in favor of those required under its Single-Window Initiative (SWI) program.

This decommissioning process was previously delayed from April 2020 due to considerations around the COVID-19 health emergency.

Effective August 17, 2020, Canadian imports regulated or co-regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Transport Canada (TC) or Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) may only be electronically processed (submitted) through the transmission of an Integrated Import Declaration (IID) within the SWI program (SWI-IID).

Moreover, paper submission will be the sole option available for cargo release if SWI-IID cannot be utilized. Paper processing, in lieu of electronic processing, may result in cargo delay and/or additional costs.

Importers should note that the SWI program may require additional data elements be transmitted for cargo release purposes. For imports regulated by a Participating Government Agency (PGA), cargo release must be obtained from both the applicable PGA and CBSA.

Given CBSA’s published intent to decommission some legacy cargo release service options, importers should carefully review their SWI program readiness; especially for any imports that fall under the regulation of one or more of the three PGAs noted above.

But do not worry, Delmar is ready! To ensure the timely movement of our customer’s imports, Delmar has already established SWI-IID as its standard cargo release (entry) process for shipments entering Canada.  According to current CBSA statistics, Delmar’s use of the SWI program is well above the national average.

For additional information and assistance, please contact your local Delmar Representative or our Canadian Customs Advisory Services team.