What is PARS? And does your customs broker need to be an expert?

How PARS expertise can help ensure seamless cross-border shipments  

When you’re shipping goods to Canada, partnering with a customs brokerage well-versed in PARS can not only minimize the chance of delays, but it could also safeguard your organization's bottom line from expensive penalties.  

Read on to learn the answers to some common questions, such as, “What does PARS stand for?” and “What does ACI stand for?” Plus, find out why your customs broker should be an expert in both. 

What is PARS? What does PARS stand for? 

Designed to reduce freight-processing delays at the border, Canada’s Pre-arrival Review System (PARS) allows importers — or customs brokers acting on their behalf — to submit cargo information to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for review and processing before their goods arrive in Canada. 

When a PARS shipment arrives at a border port of entry, the CBSA has already determined whether it will be immediately released or held for inspection. So, the CBSA will release shipments within minutes after arrival unless an examination or further processing is required.  
 

How does the PARS process work? 

Shortly after pickup, a carrier or exporter affixes a bar-coded control number to the documentation accompanying a shipment. That paperwork, along with all other required documents (including invoices, certificates of origin, bills of lading, shipment number, etc.), is  transmitted to the importer or broker. 

The importer or broker then submits that data to the CBSA or, if applicable, to a Canadian food inspection agency, depending on the type of product. With a few exceptions, all data must be transmitted electronically via the CBSA’s electronic data interchange (EDI).

CBSA requires the importer or broker to submit the electronic PARS documentation at least one hour before goods arrive at the border (the submission can be as early as 30 days prior to arrival). 

For each shipment on their conveyance, a carrier crossing the border must present a cargo control document (CCD) supplied with a unique identifier (commonly referred to as the cargo control number or CCN). The CCN is a four-character, carrier-specific code assigned by the CBSA. 

The CBSA officer at the point of entry scans the barcoded CCN. If the CBSA has approved that shipment, the cargo is immediately released for entry into Canada. If not, the shipment is delayed for secondary inspection.  

Note, if a CCN is presented, but not found in the CBSA's automated system, the carrier may be subject to an administrative monetary penalty (AMP) — potentially thousands of dollars — for non-compliance.

What is ACI? What does ACI stand for? 

To ensure supply chain security, the CBSA requires receipt of a complete manifest, including all commodities, for any ship bound for the Canadian border at least 24 hours prior to vessel departure (ocean carriers must electronically transmit marine cargo data to the CBSA two days prior to loading the cargo at a foreign port). This is called an advance commercial information (ACI) filing. 

What is the eManifest Portal? 

Announced by the CBSA in 2016, eManifest Portal is one of several online portals where shippers, carriers and freight forwarders can upload  pre-arrival shipment information for CBSA review. Warehouse operators and brokers also have access to the platform. 

Why should I choose a customs broker with PARS experience? 

Rather than spending valuable time and resources dealing with the intricacies of PARS, your team can focus on more meaningful, value-added work that contributes to the growth of your business? That’s one reason why most of the hundreds of thousands of importers who deal with CBSA each year choose to rely on licensed customs brokers to handle their shipments’ clearance.  

In addition to frequently shifting regulations and mandates, the the customs process can be overwhelming and potentially confusing for a layperson. That’s why it’s a priority for many organizations to partner with a licensed customs brokerage staffed with qualified experts.  

The expertise of a licensed customs broker with deep PARS experience can not only expedite the customs clearance process, reducing the risk of shipping relays, but also ensure your shipment follows government regulations, potentially saving you from costly penalties. 

When choosing a customs partner, be sure to ask questions about their experience with PARS, tools like eManifest Portal, and other customs-regulating bodies, like the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). 

Finally, make sure that any potential customs partner has a process for staying up-to-date on any changes to CBSA filing procedures, EDI interface technology, and real-time tracking capabilities.  

Can AIT help me find a PARS-experienced customs broker? 

Yes! Many of the world's leading businesses, from nearly every industry, trust AIT’s customs brokerage team to provide services including: 

• Priority clearance from Canada and Mexico within one hour 
• Seamless regulatory compliance 
• "Wheels Up" in-air clearance 
• Bonded warehouses in all regions 
• 24/7 customer service 
• Online shipment tracking, reporting 
• Documentation management 
• And more! 

 Explore AIT’s customs clearance services 

Let AIT handle the customs work, while you focus on your business 

With decades of experience, AIT's customs brokerage professionals quickly and efficiently handle Canada customs clearance for all types of businesses every day. 

Our team operates in strict compliance with Canadian regulations and is well-versed in all the details of moving your goods either into or out of Canada, including streamlined, expedited shipment releases via PARS and Temporary Importation under Bond (TIB) processing, as well as carnet issuance, validation and cancellation. 

If you already know what shipping services you’re looking for, start a quote with us today. Or get in touch with our supply chain consultants for additional information regarding AIT’s solutions and capabilities.