Warehouse Arrival Certification Message (WACM) Guide (CBSA)
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🔖 This article is part of the BorderConnect PARS Software Guide |
Sending Warehouse Arrival Certification Messages (WACM)
Instructions for sufferance warehouse operators to report cargo arrivals to CBSA via RNS.
Overview
This guide provides instructions for using BorderConnect to transmit Warehouse Arrival Certification Messages (WACM) through the CBSA Release Notification System (RNS).
A Warehouse Arrival Certification Message (WACM) is an electronic arrival message sent by a sufferance warehouse operator to CBSA when unreleased cargo physically arrives at the sufferance warehouse, and liability transfers from the carrier to the warehouse.[1]
Prerequisite: This guide assumes you have an active subscription and your RNS/WACM onboarding with CBSA is complete.
Regulatory Background
Sufferance warehouse operators are required to transmit a WACM when unreleased goods physically arrive at the warehouse to which they are destined (Customs Sufferance Warehouse Regulations, section 14).[2]
CBSA introduced the mandatory electronic arrival requirement via regulatory amendments in May 2015.[3]
Who Must Transmit?
A WACM must be transmitted by registered participants in CBSA’s Release Notification System (RNS) using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Clients and/or their authorized third-party service providers must register and undergo system testing with CBSA’s Technical Commercial Client Unit (TCCU).[4]
When to Send WACM
CBSA guidance dictates specific rules based on consolidation:
- Consolidated Shipments: A WACM is required only on the primary (consolidated) CCN (including a consolidated electronic house bill CCN). CBSA will cascade arrival to lower-level electronic house bills destined to the same warehouse.
- Non-Consolidated Shipments: A WACM is required on each non-consolidated CCN.
- Carrier Code Agnostic: A WACM must be transmitted for cargo arriving at a sufferance warehouse regardless of the carrier code on the CCN.[5]
Getting Started (Registration)
If you have not already done so, the easiest way to start transmitting WACM to CBSA using BorderConnect RNS is to contact BorderConnect Support. However, you can also initiate registration yourself:
1. Navigate to Account (top right) → Company Details. 2. Locate your warehouse Sub-location Code. 3. Click RNS Registration and print the document. (If your sub-location code isn't listed, use the New Sub Location button to add it). 4. Have a person with signing authority sign the document and return it to BorderConnect (fax/email). 5. BorderConnect submits the registration details required for TCCU onboarding.
Sending a WACM to CBSA
Once your warehouse is registered, you can begin sending arrival messages when unreleased shipments physically arrive.
1. Log in to BorderConnect. 2. Go to PARS Shipments. 3. Select Send New RNS Arrival.
Enter the following details:
- Cargo Control Number (CCN): The unique identifier for the cargo.
- Warehouse Sub-location Code: The code of the facility where goods arrived.
- Arrival Date and Time: The actual time of physical arrival.
Click Send Arrival Request to CBSA. Response timing can vary.
Understanding Responses
BorderConnect displays CBSA responses to help you identify next steps. Note: This table is operational guidance, not an official CBSA meaning table.
| Response | Meaning (Typical) | Action To Be Taken |
|---|---|---|
| RELEASED | Arrival accepted; transaction is released. | No further action. Follow internal release controls. |
| ARRIVED* | Arrival accepted; release not yet on file. | No further action for arrival. Monitor for release. |
| HELD FOR EXAM | Shipment referred for examination. | Follow CBSA instructions and local exam process. |
| ERROR (Already Released) | Rejected because CCN is already in a terminal state. | Typically no action; validate status in records. |
| ERROR (Office Mismatch) | Arrival office does not match release office on trade doc. | Validate your sub-location. If correct, contact filing party to correct destination. |
| ERROR (Conveyance Not Arrived) | Linked conveyance/cargo is not "Arrived" in CBSA system. | Do not send WACM before physical arrival. Coordinate with carrier to update arrival reporting.[6] |
WACM Search & History
Use the WACM search page to confirm whether CBSA accepted your arrival, check the latest status, or investigate error messages indicating mismatches.
- ↑ CBSA Memorandum D3-4-2 – Highway pre-arrival and reporting requirements (Definitions – WACM). https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d3/d3-4-2-eng.html
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Canada Gazette – Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Customs Act (May 6, 2015). https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2015/2015-05-06/html/sor-dors90-eng.html
- ↑ CBSA Customs Notice 22-17 – Mandatory electronic notification of cargo at sufferance warehouses (RNS/EDI/TCCU testing). https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn22-17-eng.html
- ↑ CBSA Customs Notice 22-17 – Mandatory electronic notification of cargo at sufferance warehouses (rules + examples). https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn22-17-eng.html
- ↑ CBSA – FAQ: Release Time Frames (arrival processing model; release eligibility after arrived status). https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/rtf-dm-eng.html