Jump to content

Release Notification System (RNS) (Customs Glossary Guide)

From BorderConnect Wiki
This article is part of the Customs Glossary Guide

The Release Notification System (RNS) is a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) electronic data interchange service that sends release and status messages to registered trade chain partners. CBSA describes RNS as a service that provides timely notification of CBSA release decisions to importers, brokers, warehouse operators, and carriers through EDI messages.<ref name="eccrd">CBSA Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document, Chapter 21 - Release Notification System: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/eservices/eccrd-eng.html</ref>

RNS should not be confused with the systems used to submit commercial release requests. Brokers and importers may submit release information through services such as PARS, IID, or other CBSA release channels. RNS is the messaging service that communicates release decisions and related status information back to participants.<ref name="d17-1-4">CBSA Memorandum D17-1-4, Release of Commercial Goods: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d17/d17-1-4-eng.html</ref>

What RNS Does

RNS is used to send electronic messages such as:

These messages help carriers, brokers, importers, and warehouse operators confirm whether cargo has been released, arrived, referred, or otherwise requires follow-up.

RNS and WACM

RNS is closely connected with the Warehouse Arrival Certification Message (WACM). A WACM is an electronic arrival message transmitted by a sufferance warehouse operator when unreleased cargo physically arrives at the warehouse. CBSA requires registered sufferance warehouse participants to transmit WACM through RNS using EDI or an authorized service provider.<ref name="cn22-17">CBSA Customs Notice 22-17, Mandatory electronic notification of cargo at sufferance warehouses: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn22-17-eng.html</ref><ref name="requirements">CBSA commercial reporting requirements by client type: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/aci-manif-ipec/req-exig-eng.html</ref>

When unreleased goods arrive at a sufferance warehouse, the WACM tells CBSA that the warehouse has received the cargo. If release is already on file, RNS can return the release notification needed for the warehouse to release the goods.<ref name="sufferance">CBSA sufferance warehouses: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/codes/menu-eng.html</ref>

Status Queries

RNS also allows participants to query the status of a transaction number or Cargo Control Number (CCN). CBSA's EDI/Portal FAQ notes that the RNS Status Query function can be used to check the status of transactions at any time.<ref name="faq">CBSA EDI/Portal Clients Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/eservices/faq-eng.html</ref>

Usage in BorderConnect

In BorderConnect workflows, RNS messages are used to help users see the current status of shipments and warehouse arrivals. For example:

  • A carrier or broker may use RNS status information when checking whether a PARS shipment has been released.
  • A sufferance warehouse operator may transmit a WACM and receive RNS responses for cargo that has arrived at the warehouse.
  • Users can use status updates to avoid delivering or releasing cargo before CBSA has authorized the release.

References

<references/>

Retrieved from "https://wiki.borderconnect.com/index.php?title=Release_Notification_System_(RNS)_(Customs_Glossary_Guide)&oldid=2129"