CSA (Customs Self Assessment) Information

🔖 This article is part of the Customs Compliance Guide

This article is about the CSA Program. For how to create a CSA Shipment in BorderConnect, see CSA (CBSA Shipment Type)

Customs Self Assessment (CSA) Information

A trusted trader program designed to streamline the import process for low-risk carriers, importers, and drivers.

Type: Trusted Trader Program Region: CBSA

Overview

Customs Self Assessment (CSA) logo

The Customs Self Assessment (CSA) program is a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) initiative designed for low-risk, pre-approved importers, carriers, and registered drivers. To utilize the program in the highway mode, three conditions must be met:

1. The Importer must be CSA-approved. 2. The Carrier must be CSA-approved. 3. The Driver must be registered (FAST/CDRP).

The program simplifies border requirements, allowing eligible goods to be processed more quickly and efficiently. This streamlined approach saves businesses time and money while allowing CBSA to focus resources on identifying high-risk shipments.

Consulting Services: Carriers can register as a CSA participating carrier by contacting BorderConnect's Carrier Customs Consulting Division.

Program Eligibility

Carriers eligible to apply to the CSA program must meet the following strict requirements:

• Bonded Status: Must be a bonded carrier (minimum $25,000.00).
• Operational History: Must have a history of transporting goods to or from Canada for at least 90 days.
• Compliance: No history of contraband or major commercial infractions.
• Liability: Willing to be liable for and maintain control of all shipments until released.
• Audit Trails: Must provide senior management authorization that commercial business processes and systems support CSA audit requirements.

Reporting Requirements

CSA clearance is used to request the "authority to deliver" eligible goods. A distinctive feature of the CSA environment is that standard cargo documents (like a manifest) are not required to clear CSA-approved shipments at the border.

Instead, the driver must present three specific pieces of identification (barcodes) at the Primary Inspection Line (PIL):

Required ID	Description
Carrier ID	The CSA-approved carrier's four-character carrier code barcode.
Importer ID	The CSA-approved importer's 15-digit Business Number barcode.
Driver ID	The registered driver's identification card (FAST or CDRP).

When requested by a border services officer, the carrier must still provide satisfactory evidence concerning the discharge of goods.

Benefits of CSA

Participation in the CSA program offers significant advantages for carriers:

• No Transactional Data: Ends the need for transactional transmission of data elements (no eManifest required for CSA loads).
• Expedited Processing: Increases the certainty of expedited customs processing at the border.
• Streamlined Trade: Facilitates direct delivery of eligible goods to the importer, owner, or consignee.
• Simplified Compliance: Makes it easier for carriers to meet obligations through self-assessment.

Other Trusted Trader Programs

Program	Description
FAST (Free and Secure Trade)	A joint initiative between CBP and CBSA. FAST-approved carriers can transport FAST shipments and access dedicated lanes and front-of-line processing.
C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism)	A voluntary supply chain security program led by U.S. CBP. It strengthens international supply chains and improves U.S. border security.
PIP (Partners in Protection)	A cooperative program between private industry and the CBSA to enhance border and trade chain security. It is required for carriers to become FAST approved in Canada.