Warehouse Arrival Certification Message (WACM) Guide (CBSA): Difference between revisions

[[File:Send-wacm-rns-arrival-menu.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Selecting '''Send RNS Arrival''' from the PARS Shipments menu]]

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. <ref>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</ref>

| icon = 🏭

| text = '''Operating a Sufferance Warehouse?''' Easily report WACM arrivals and releases to CBSA with BorderConnect Warehouse Software.

| link = https://www.borderconnect.com/warehouse-arrivals/index.htm

== Regulatory background (CBSA) ==

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). <ref>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>

CBSA introduced the mandatory electronic arrival requirement via regulatory amendments (May 6, 2015). <ref>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</ref>

== Who must transmit WACM (and how) ==

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)'''. <ref>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</ref>

CBSA also notes that WACM (and other EDI functions) are part of the commercial reporting framework for warehouse operators. <ref>CBSA – Commercial reporting requirements (Warehouse operators / regulatory requirements). https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/aci-manif-ipec/req-exig-eng.html</ref>

== When to send WACM (consolidated vs non-consolidated) ==

* A WACM must be transmitted for cargo arriving at a sufferance warehouse '''regardless of the carrier code on the CCN'''. <ref>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</ref>

== Getting Started (BorderConnect) ==

{{#ev:youtube|VgW2NUClVA8|360|right|BorderConnect Virtual Workshop - RNS-PARS Software & RNS Arrivals (WACM)}}

Or, if you haven't registered to use RNS with BorderConnect and you'd like to add this feature yourself:

# Locate your warehouse '''Sub-location Code'''.

# If your sub-location code isn't listed, use the '''New Sub Location''' button to add it, or contact BorderConnect for assistance.

# A person with signing authority must print and sign the document and send it back to BorderConnect (fax or email).

# BorderConnect submits the registration details required for onboarding.

'''Note:''' CBSA onboarding timelines can vary because participation requires registration and, in many cases, testing with the TCCU. <ref>CBSA Customs Notice 22-17 – TCCU registration/testing. https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn22-17-eng.html</ref>

== Sending a WACM to CBSA ==

Once your warehouse is registered and enabled to transmit WACM via RNS/EDI, you can begin sending arrival messages.

When unreleased shipments physically arrive at your warehouse, you must transmit a WACM for the applicable Cargo Control Number(s) according to CBSA consolidation rules. <ref>CBSA Customs Notice 22-17 – WACM obligation + consolidation rules. https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn22-17-eng.html</ref>

# Log in to BorderConnect

# Go to '''PARS Shipments'''

# Select '''Send New RNS Arrival'''

[[File:Send-wacm-rns-arrival.png|800px]]

Enter:

* Cargo Control Number (CCN)

* Warehouse Sub-location Code

* Arrival Date and Arrival Time

Click '''Send Arrival Request to CBSA'''. Response timing can vary (especially during outages or peak periods).

== WACM response messages (practical guidance) ==

BorderConnect displays CBSA acknowledgements / responses to help you identify next steps.

'''Important:''' CBSA maintains official EDI response/error code references separately. Message text can vary by workflow and system changes; treat the table below as common operational guidance rather than an official CBSA “meaning table.” <ref>CBSA EDI/Portal Clients – Frequently Asked Questions (references official error code resources and TCCU support). https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/eservices/faq-eng.html</ref>

The table below outlines common outcomes and suggested actions:

{| class="wikitable"

| style="background: #bcf5bc;"| '''RELEASED'''

|-

|-

| Shipment is referred for examination.

| Follow CBSA instructions and local examination process for your warehouse/port.

|-

| style="background: #bcf5bc;"| '''ERROR''' / already released / acquitted

| WACM rejected because the CCN is already in a terminal state (already arrived/released/acquitted).

| Typically no further action required; validate status in your records.

| style="background: #ff8080;"| '''ERROR''' arrival office does not match release office

| Validate the sub-location/port used. If correct, contact the filing party to correct the destination/port on the trade document.

| The linked conveyance/cargo is not yet in arrived status in CBSA systems.

| Do not send WACM before physical arrival. If the goods are physically present, the carrier may need to update arrival reporting; coordinate with the carrier.

'''Why “arrived status” matters:''' CBSA implemented an arrival processing approach where shipments are eligible for release only after related cargo documents attain “arrived” status, which is why some WACMs are rejected if the related conveyance/cargo has not arrived in CBSA systems. <ref>CBSA – FAQ: Release Time Frames (arrival processing model; release eligibility after arrived status). https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/rtf-dm-eng.html</ref>

{| class="wikitable"

|-

| style="background: #ff8080;"| '''Action Needs To Be Taken'''

 

 

 

Use the WACM search/history page to confirm:

* Any error messaging that indicates a mismatch (port/sublocation/conveyance arrival)

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