This change will also significantly reduce the paper burden for carriers who use the Failed PARS Process and send pre-printed A8A manifests with the driver for each shipment in case they cannot get a shipment released at the border.
Even though the front-end processes are changing carriers should still follow tried and true back-end processes simply because existing industry partners readily recognize the A8A(B) Cargo Control Manifest and a properly completed manifest will include all of the data elements customs brokers / importers will need to submit their release declarations. Carriers will still need to forward the Long Room and Customs Delivery Authority Copies to the Customs Broker / Importer and present the Warehouse Operator’s Copy to the Sufferance Warehouse Operator.
One reason a carrier still should forward both the Long Room and Customs Delivery Authority Copies to the Customs Broker / Importer is that in some instances they may have to submit a paper release declaration to CBSA and both the Long Room and Customs Delivery Authority Copies of the A8A(B) Cargo Control Manifest must be included with the release package.
Carriers must obtain proof they have reported their in-bond shipments to the appropriate sufferance warehouse. Many carriers have the warehouse operator verify acceptance of the in-bond goods either on the Station Copy or a photocopy of the Warehouse Operator’s Copy of an A8A(B) Cargo Control Manifest and use the the manifest as warehouse receipt to meet their record keeping requirements.
The Customs Notice also highlights the existing re-manifesting and abstracting processes will remain a paper-based process.
Please note: There are still instances where carriers may need to prepare and present A8A(B) cargo declarations and present them to CBSA at the border to obtain a release, to move a shipment in-bond that wasn't initially intended to be transported in bond or obtain a stamped proof of release and for record keeping purposes. Examples include single trip bonds, shipments involving exceptional processing and RMDs. Carriers should refer to D-Memo D3-4-2 or D3-1-1 for additional information.
Sample A8A Cargo Control DocumentCBSA has published Customs Notice 19-11 notifying highway carriers they will no longer need to present an A8A(B) Cargo Control Documents at the border for shipments travelling in-bond in Canada as long as the ACI shipment declaration specifies the shipment will be moving in-bond. This change will reduce the paper burden for both CBSA and carriers since drivers / carriers will no longer need to prepare and present the A8A(B) manifest to CBSA at the border. 