In-Transit Manifest (CBSA)
| This article is part of the Shipment Release Types Guide |
An In-Transit Manifest is used for domestic goods that move from one point in a country to another point in the same country by travelling through the other country. Common examples are U.S. goods moving from one point in the United States to another point in the United States through Canada, or Canadian goods moving from one point in Canada to another point in Canada through the United States.
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CBSA Memorandum D3-4-2 defines this as a domestic in-transit movement and states that Form A8B, United States-Canada Transit Manifest, is used by the CBSA as the cargo control document for United States or Canadian cargo transiting the other country's territory.<ref name="d342">CBSA Memorandum D3-4-2: Highway pre-arrival and reporting requirements</ref>
Important ACI/eManifest note
Highway carriers arriving only with goods moving in-transit are exempt from the mandatory provision of ACI/eManifest information, and CBSA states that it will not issue AMPS penalties for failing to electronically transmit in-transit conveyance data.<ref name="d342" />
D3-4-2 also states that, if a carrier submits ACI/eManifest cargo and conveyance reports for a domestic in-transit shipment, no A8B or seal is required. In that case, the movement is considered an import movement for CBSA purposes and the load does not require sealing unless required by the border services officer.<ref name="d342" />
Because the paper A8B process and the electronic ACI/eManifest process affect reporting, seals, and border paperwork differently, carriers should confirm which process they are using before dispatch.
In-transit through Canada: U.S. to U.S.
For United States goods moving from one point in the United States to another point in the United States through Canada, D3-4-2 states that the highway carrier must be a CBSA bonded carrier or must obtain a single trip authorization from CBSA before moving through Canada.<ref name="d342" />
When using the paper A8B process, the driver presents four copies of Form A8B at the first port of arrival in Canada:
- original white copy: arrival copy;
- second blue copy: exit copy;
- third green copy: re-entry copy; and
- fourth pink copy: carrier copy.
The border services officer reviews and validates the copies by stamping and initialing the form. The officer may also check the goods against the bills of lading to confirm that the in-transit goods are recorded.
When completed, the blue, green, and pink copies are returned to the driver. The original white copy is retained by CBSA and placed in a pending file until acquittal is received from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office of re-entry.
The goods are sealed with company seals or CBSA green ball seals, and the seals must remain intact until they are removed by CBP at the U.S. office of re-entry. The carrier reports to CBP when re-entering the United States. CBP stamps the remaining copies and ensures seals are intact where applicable; the pink copy is returned to the driver, the blue copy is sent to the CBSA office at the first point of entry, and the green copy is retained by CBP.<ref name="d342" />
In-transit through the United States: Canada to Canada
For Canadian goods moving from one point in Canada to another point in Canada through the United States, D3-4-2 describes a similar A8B process at the U.S. first port of arrival. The U.S. CBP officer validates the A8B copies, the goods move under company seals or CBP seals, and the carrier reports to CBSA when re-entering Canada. CBSA verifies seals where applicable, stamps the remaining copies, returns the pink copy to the driver, sends the blue copy back to the first point of entry, and retains the green copy on file.<ref name="d342" />
The U.S. portion of the move may also require the carrier to satisfy CBP in-bond or transit requirements. In BorderConnect, this may be handled through a QP In-Bond filed with a customs broker or an ACE In-Bond filed through ACE, depending on the carrier's process and the party responsible for the U.S. in-bond filing. Carriers should not file duplicate in-bonds for the same movement.
Irregularities during the move
D3-4-2 states that accidents, load shifts, equipment switches, or other irregularities during the in-transit movement must be reported to CBSA. Equipment switching is not permitted unless there are unforeseen circumstances such as a breakdown or accident.<ref name="d342" />
If regulated goods are involved, additional paper release requirements may apply. D3-4-2 notes that CFIA-regulated in-transit movements require a paper release process and that the transmission should include "In-transit" in the special remarks field.<ref name="d342" />
How to process an in-transit cargo exception in BorderConnect
When using BorderConnect for an ACI eManifest in-transit cargo exception:
- Start a new ACI eManifest in BorderConnect.
- Enter the conveyance or trip information.
- Open the truck or trailer section that contains the loaded goods.
- Assign the In-Transit cargo exception to the truck, trailer, or relevant equipment. If the goods are loaded in a box truck or cargo van, assign the exception to the truck. If the goods are loaded in a trailer, assign the exception to the trailer.
- Review the manifest and transmit it to CBSA when required by the process being used.
References
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