In-Transit Manifest (CBSA)

🔖 This article is part of the Shipment Release Types Guide

In-Transit Manifest (Canada & USA)

A guide to moving goods from Point A to Point B by passing through a foreign country (US to US via Canada, or Canada to Canada via US).

Type: Cargo Exemption Region: Cross-Border

Overview

An In-Transit move occurs when a carrier transports domestic goods through a foreign country to reach another domestic destination.

Because the goods are not entering the commerce of the foreign country, they travel "In-Bond" or "In-Transit" and are exempt from duties/taxes, provided they stay sealed.

Two Main Scenarios:

• US ➔ Canada ➔ US: Uses CBSA Form A8B ONLY (ACI eManifest is strictly exempt).
• Canada ➔ US ➔ Canada: Uses a T&E Bond (QP or ACE) + ACI In-Transit Exemption upon re-entry to Canada.

🇺🇸 ➔ 🇨🇦 ➔ 🇺🇸 (US to US via Canada)

The Paperwork: Form A8B

When moving US goods through Canada, CBSA uses the Form A8B United States – Canada Transit Manifest to control the movement.

Step 1: Entry into Canada

The driver presents 4 Copies of Form A8B:

• White (Original): Held by CBSA at entry (Pending File).
• Blue (2nd): Exit copy (travels with driver).
• Green (3rd): Re-entry copy (travels with driver).
• Pink (4th): Carrier copy.

CBSA seals the truck with Green Ball Seals.

Step 2: Exit from Canada

Upon re-entering the US:

1. The driver reports to U.S. CBP. 2. The carrier presents the remaining copies. 3. CBP validates the seals and stamps the forms. 4. The Blue Copy is mailed back to the Canadian office of entry to close the loop (acquittal).

The Electronic Requirement: ACI eManifest Exemption

For a US to Canada to US move, an ACI eManifest is not needed when crossing into Canada with exclusively in-transit goods.

According to official CBSA guidelines, until such time as the CBSA implements a fully electronic in-transit process, highway carriers arriving only with goods moving in-transit are exempt from the mandatory provision of eManifest information.

• No eManifest Required: You do not need to file an empty manifest. You only need to present the paper A8B form at the border.
• No AMPS Penalties: In this specific scenario, the CBSA will not issue Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) penalties for failing to electronically transmit in-transit conveyance data.

🇨🇦 ➔ 🇺🇸 ➔ 🇨🇦 (Canada to Canada via US)

The Requirement: T&E Bond

To haul Canadian goods through the US, the carrier must be a bonded US carrier.

You must file a Transportation & Exportation (T&E) bond for the US portion of the move. This bond must be filed either as a QP In-Bond (typically handled by a customs broker) OR as an ACE In-Bond (handled directly by the carrier in their eManifest software)—but you must not file both.

• Filing: Create the T&E bond (QP or ACE) prior to arriving at the US border.
• Entry: Report arrival at the US port.
• Exit: You must report the export when crossing back into Canada to close the US bond. Failure to report the export leads to compliance penalties from U.S. CBP.

Re-Entry into Canada

When the truck returns to Canada to complete the Canada to US to Canada move, an ACI In-Transit Exemption is strictly required upon re-entry.

Manifest: Create a new ACI eManifest for the return trip into Canada.

Exception: You must use the In-Transit exception on the trailer to indicate the goods are domestic Canadian goods that simply transited through the US.

How to Process the In-Transit Exemption in BorderConnect

Setting the In-Transit Exception (For Re-Entry to Canada)

For the Canada to US to Canada return trip, you don't create "Shipments" in ACI. Instead, you apply the exemption data directly to the trailer.

1. Start ACI eManifest: Enter your Trip Number and Port of Entry into Canada. 2. Add Trailer/Truck: Go to the truck or trailer profile. 3. Select Exception: In the "Loaded Status" or "Cargo Exception" dropdown, select In-Transit. 4. Transmit: Send the manifest to CBSA.

Result: CBSA sees a loaded trailer but knows not to expect a PARS entry because it is flagged as In-Transit.

Setting In-Transit Exception in ACI

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References

• Customs Notice 15-030 / CBSA In-Transit Guidelines: Interim eManifest Requirements Respecting In-transit Highway Conveyances - https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn15-030-eng.html