Orders In Council (CBSA Shipment Type)

This article is part of the Shipment Release Types Guide

An Orders in Council shipment, or OIC shipment, is a Canadian Shipment Type for goods clearing through CBSA on an ACI eManifest when a specific Order in Council, remission order, or other special authority applies to the goods.

An Order in Council is a legal instrument made by the Governor in Council under statutory authority or, less commonly, the royal prerogative. In a customs context, an Order in Council or remission order may provide relief or remission from duties and/or taxes when the goods meet the conditions of that authority.

An OIC shipment type is not a general exemption from customs reporting. The carrier, importer, and broker must be able to identify the applicable OIC or remission authority, and the highway carrier must still report the shipment to CBSA through ACI eManifest unless a separate reporting exemption applies.

Video tutorial

How to create an Orders in Council shipment in ACI using BorderConnect

Training video: How to create an Orders in Council shipment in ACI using BorderConnect.

Common use

One example historically used by highway and courier carriers is the Courier Imports Remission process. CBSA’s Courier Imports Remission memorandum outlines the policy and procedures to claim remission of customs duties, sales tax, and excise tax on certain imported goods transported into Canada by courier services.

CBSA’s courier guidance explains that the Courier Imports Remission Order may waive duties and/or taxes on qualifying courier goods with a value for duty not exceeding CAD $20, $40, or $150, depending on the conditions that apply. Other Orders in Council or remission orders may apply to specific goods, trade measures, surtaxes, emergencies, or government relief programs.

The carrier should follow the instructions supplied by the importer, broker, courier, or CBSA. The carrier should not assume goods qualify for OIC treatment simply because an Order in Council exists.

ACI eManifest reporting

Orders in Council shipments are still reported on an ACI eManifest. The Order in Council may affect the release, remission, or accounting authority for the goods, but it does not automatically remove ACI reporting obligations for the highway carrier.

To report the shipment in BorderConnect:

1. Create an ACI shipment.
2. Select Orders in Council as the shipment type.
3. Enter a unique Cargo Control Number.
4. Enter the shipper, consignee, and commodity information normally required for an ACI shipment.
5. Use a clear commodity description that matches the supporting paperwork.
6. Save the shipment and transmit it as part of the ACI eManifest.

Selecting Orders in Council in BorderConnect ACI eManifest

If the carrier has other freight on board, report the other freight on the ACI eManifest using the appropriate shipment types. CBSA reminds highway carriers that ACI must be accurate and complete and that corrections must be sent as soon as the carrier becomes aware of information that is no longer true or correct.

OIC number and documentation

The carrier should obtain the OIC number, remission order reference, or special authority from the importer, broker, courier, or other party responsible for the clearance. BorderConnect’s tutorial explains that the carrier must be able to provide the OIC number for the Order in Council shipment.

The driver should be prepared to provide the OIC number and supporting paperwork to CBSA if requested. BorderConnect’s tutorial also notes that the driver may need to present the ACI eManifest lead sheet, the A8A In Bond Cargo Control Document, and the OIC number with the Acquittal Number field properly marked.

When paper documentation is required, the A8A(B) In Bond - Cargo Control Document includes an Acquittal No. field that may be used for the applicable OIC or related authority.

For accounting, the importer or broker may need to enter the applicable special authority OIC on the Commercial Accounting Declaration or another accounting document. CBSA accounting guidance identifies an Order in Council as a type of special authority that may apply to goods.

Printing lead sheets and A8A forms

Carriers can print, fax, or email the ACI lead sheet directly from the ACI eManifest Details Page in BorderConnect. BorderConnect explains that the Print button on the ACI eManifest Details Page generates the ACI lead sheet in PDF format, and that the Fax and Email buttons can send the lead sheet to a driver or another party when the carrier does not need to print it locally.

Carriers can also order ACI eManifest lead sheets from BorderPrint. BorderPrint offers ACI eManifest lead sheets as digital downloads, and BorderConnect’s ACI eManifest information notes that carriers can print, fax, or email barcoded ACI lead sheets from BorderConnect as well.

For shipments requiring an A8A(B), carriers can print the A8A directly from the ACI Shipment Details Page in BorderConnect where supported. BorderConnect’s ACI In-Bond tutorial shows users printing the A8A form from the ACI shipment page, and BorderConnect’s ACI product information notes that users can print A8A cargo control documents directly from BorderConnect.

Carriers may also order A8A(B) In-Bond Cargo Control Documents from BorderPrint. BorderPrint lists A8A(B) in-bond forms among its border documents, including blank and pre-printed A8A(B) options.

At the border

The driver should present the barcoded ACI lead sheet or Cargo Control Number and any supporting paperwork supplied for the shipment. If an A8A(B) is required, the driver should ensure the OIC or related authority is shown in the appropriate field before arrival.

For highway carriers, ACI cargo and conveyance data must generally be transmitted and accepted at least one hour before arrival at the first Canadian port of arrival. CBSA’s highway ACI guidance states that carriers entering Canada in highway mode must send ACI at least one hour before arrival at a port of entry so CBSA can validate the data, and that failure to do so may result in delays and monetary penalties.

Carrier checklist

Before transmitting an Orders in Council shipment, confirm that:

• the importer, broker, courier, or CBSA has instructed the carrier to use the Orders in Council shipment type;
• the carrier has the applicable OIC number, remission order reference, or special authority;
• the Cargo Control Number is unique and correctly entered;
• shipper, consignee, and commodity information are complete and accurate;
• the driver has the ACI lead sheet or Cargo Control Number;
• any required A8A(B) or supporting paperwork is prepared;
• the ACI eManifest is transmitted and accepted at least one hour before arrival.