Customs have published another Trade Compliance brochure that provides some guidance to importers and exporters to meet all the requirements involved with moving goods across the Canadian Border. It is a good overview and something management should read to understand the obligations companies have under the Customs Act and other Government Agencies. In addition to this CBSA also discusses some benefits for compliant companies that will save your company money with programs like Customs Self Assessment (CSA) and Free and Secure Trade (FAST). There are additional links to other useful information sites in this brochure. Bottom line – it pays to be compliant.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5108-eng.html

Well we have more updates from CBSA on the ACI/e-manifest timelines. Importers have some breathing room. However it has been my experience that process change projects are often discussed in years as opposed to months. This is particularly true for mission critical importers. So while CBSA is saying 2012 for importers to be compliant with e-manifest anyone considering CSA in this category should be exploring their options today. It is our opinion that CSA is a more business friendly and cost effective process for importers. Check out this brochure PDF (refer to attached brochure) and compare the CSA environment. I’m sure you will come to the same conclusion.