The CCRA have advised that they plan to implement a process on April 1, 2003, whereby Customs would input the sufferance warehouse sub-location code in ACROSS for paper releases.

The text of their message follows. Comments on this initiative should be addressed to the CSCB at [email protected]

January 23, 2003

SUBJECT: Customs Data Capture of Warehouse
Sub-Location Code for Paper Transactions

I am writing to you to advise you that we plan to implement a process on April 1, 2003, that would require customs to input the sufferance warehouse sub-location code into ACROSS when paper release transactions are processed.

With the introduction of Mandatory RNS for sufferance warehouse operators in July 2002, it has become possible for sufferance warehouse operators, who currently rely on release notification by their sub-location code, to receive same for paper transactions keyed by customs. This is already taking place at a number of customs locations across Canada in order to assist clients in this regard.

In order to facilitate this process, we have developed the following action plan for RMD, B3, VI and ETA paper service options.

- Sufferance warehouse operators who wish to receive RNS based on their sufferance sub-location code will communicate to their clients (carriers/forwarders/agents) the importance of the provision of the sub-location code on the cargo control document (CCD);

- The party who issues the CCD will provide the appropriate sub-location code on the CCD as outlined under the conditions of Customs Notice N-418;

- Importers/brokers will continue to prepare and submit their paper release packages as per normal procedures;

- Where a commercial release package (RMD, B3, VI or ETA), includes a CCD that bears a sufferance warehouse sub-location code in the location-of-goods field, the customs inspector processing the transaction will data capture the four-digit code in ACROSS;

- Customs operations will only data capture the sub-location code where this is clearly visible and in the location-of-goods field of the CCD;

- Customs operations are not required to research the code for input if it is not provided on the documentation;

- As an interim measure, Customs will also continue to notify sufferance warehouse operators of customs release by means of the customs-stamped customs delivery authority (CDA) copy of the CCD;

- Following an adjustment period to the new requirement (i.e., 30 days), local customs officials will approach sufferance warehouse operators (or vice versa) to discuss the elimination of release notification by the customs-stamped CDA copy;

- Once the sufferance warehouse operator and customs officials agree on an implementation date, the party (i.e., carrier/forwarder/agent or sufferance warehouse operator), who distributes the longroom and CDA copy of the CCD to the importer/broker, would notate “RNS” in the body of the documents. This would signify to the importer/broker that the warehouse operator will rely on RNS for customs release notification and no CDA is required in the release package;

- In those instances where the sub-location code will not be entered into ACROSS and an RNS would not be generated (i.e., an Order In Council (OIC) release), the importer/broker would include the CDA with the release request; otherwise, the CDA would be retained in the importer/broker files.

I trust that the aforementioned is satisfactory. Should you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact Mr. John Kiefl, Manager, Release and Warehouse Programs at (613) 957-8690 or Mr. Mark Laramore, Senior Program Advisor at (613) 952-0202.