CSA (CBSA Shipment Type)

This article is part of the Shipment Release Types Guide

This article is about the Canadian Shipment Type. For information on the CSA Program visit CSA Program Information

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How to create a CSA shipment in BorderConnect.

CSA, standing for Customs Self Assessment, is a Canadian Shipment Type / clearance option associated with the CBSA Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) Program. The CSA program is designed for low-risk, pre-approved importers and carriers using registered commercial drivers to transport eligible goods into Canada, allowing for streamlined processing and “authority to deliver” without routine border release processing.

CSA allows for the clearance of goods imported by a CSA-authorized importer and transported by a CSA-authorized carrier. In the highway mode, the driver transporting CSA shipments must be registered under either the Commercial Driver Registration Program (CDRP) or the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program.

To be eligible for CSA clearance, goods must generally be commercial goods shipped directly from the United States or Mexico and must not require a permit, licence, certificate, or other similar document to be presented to CBSA prior to release, under the applicable legislation of any other government department. CSA importers are responsible for determining which goods and shipments qualify for CSA treatment and for advising their carriers accordingly.

Declaring a CSA Shipment in ACI

CSA Shipments are not required to be reported on an ACI eManifest. The carrier can elect to continue to use the same process to clear CSA shipments that was in place before ACI, i.e. paper process with 3 bar codes. If using this option the carrier would not file a manifest at all for trucks carrying only CSA Shipments, and would file a manifest only reporting the non-CSA Shipments in the case of a mixed load.

If a carrier elects to report their CSA Shipments in ACI, they must first notify CBSA's Technical Support Unit at TSU.UST@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca, as well as their CSA senior project officer. The carrier must also be an Release Notification System participant (e.g. BorderConnect's PARS Checking software) in order to transmit CSA data through ACI. It is important to note that carriers electing to transmit CSA data through ACI are responsible for also transmitting their TCP data through ACI. For instructions on this and on the registration process, it is best to contact your service provider. (BorderConnect's contact info here.)

To report a CSA Shipment in ACI the carrier will need to create an ACI Shipment designated as CSA and ensure that the shipment is transmitted as part of their ACI eManifest.

When a CSA shipment is being reported electronically through ACI/eManifest (i.e. the carrier elects to transmit CSA shipment details), the carrier will provide a unique Cargo Control Number (CCN) and the other ACI cargo data elements that are normally required for a highway cargo document (including shipper, consignee, and a description of the goods).

At the border, CSA clearance is based on CBSA’s minimum CSA reporting requirements: the driver provides the CSA importer’s BN/RM in bar code format, the CSA carrier code in bar code format, and the driver’s FAST or CDRP card (highway mode). If the shipment is being reported via eManifest, the driver will also present the eManifest lead sheet (or other acceptable bar-coded document) so CBSA can retrieve the advance data on file.

CSA clearance in the highway mode requires a CSA-authorized importer and CSA-authorized carrier using a registered driver (FAST or CDRP). CSA-eligible goods are generally commercial goods shipped directly from the United States or Mexico, and goods requiring a permit, licence, or similar document to be presented to CBSA prior to release are not eligible for CSA clearance.