The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) published Customs Notice 17-15 yesterday, which delays the mandatory implementation date for the e-Manifest program indefinitely. This expected announcement replaces Notice 16-23, under which e-Manifest would have been mandatory for all filings beginning 1 July.
“To provide time for the CBSA to fully test and implement enhanced electronic house bill system functionality,” the voluntary implementation of e-Manifest will continue for at least one year. A new mandatory implementation date has not been set and will be the subject of a future Notice; the earliest date for this transition is now 1 June 2017. Additionally, the CBSA remains committed to providing a 6-month period in which Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) will be zero-rated (e.g., errors in electronic filings will be noted but no fines will be levied for those errors).
For the time being, Forwarders may continue to use the e-Manifest program if their implementation is going smoothly, or they may revert to legacy documentation, but they should not do both, as a mixture of electronic and paper filings on a shipment or consolidation will certainly result in confusion and potentially delay.
For email support on eManifest policy and processes, or to participate in upcoming freight forwarder implementation calls, contact the eManifest Help Desk at emanifest-manifestelectronique@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.