The Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) has announced that on April 15, 2024, the ACROSS Service Options (SO) 257 (EDI RMD) and 117 (Paper PARS) will be decommissioned and will no longer be in service.

According to CBSA, This change will not require external commercial clients to upgrade their existing systems.

Brokers and importers are encouraged to use SO 911 (Integrated Import Declaration) to obtain release of goods and stop using SO 257 (EDI RMD) and 117 (Paper PARS) as soon as possible to ensure a successful transition.

SO 125 (EDI PARS) and SO 174 (Paper RMD) will continue to be available as release options. SO 125 (EDI PARS) can be submitted both pre- and post-arrival. SO 174 (Paper RMD) can also be submitted pre-and post-arrival.

CBSA has updated Memorandum D17-1-4: Release of Commercial Goods with information on SO 911 and removal of the legacy options.

Integrated Import Declaration

SO 911, aka the Integrated Import Declaration or IID, allows importers and brokers to submit interim accounting documentation to CBSA for review and processing to obtain release of goods.

The IID can be submitted electronically up to a maximum of 90 calendar days before the goods arrive at the CBSA office of release. One IID document can link up to 999 related cargo control documents using the related CCN, reducing the need for multiple release document submissions.

The IID is designed to accommodate the CBSA and Participating Government Agencies (PGAs) data requirements for regulated goods. Importers or brokers will transmit the IID to CBSA and a BSO will review the IID information. Once the BSO has completed their review, the ACROSS system will be updated with a recommendation whether to release or refer the goods for examination. For regulated goods, information will be verified by the applicable PGAs and validated on the importers behalf.

In certain exceptional cases, importers or brokers may be required to submit paper documents with their IID. The Document Image Functionality (DIF) allows importers and brokers to transmit paper licenses, permits, certificates and other documents (LPCOs) electronically, as images through EDI.

You can read the full Release of Commercial Goods document here.

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