CN 17-20, Update - Deconsolidation Notice – Paper Options for Warehouse Operations, Terminal Operators and Freight Forwarders

June 21, 2017

1. This notice updates Customs Notice 16-20 and provides information for freight forwarders, warehouse operators and terminal operators regarding the deconsolidation notice and the process by which warehouse operators may release goods from the warehouse to the freight forwarder.

2. On June 29th, 2016, the ability to receive the deconsolidation notice was made available to clients by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

3. On May 23 2017, the CBSA issued Customs Notice 17-15 announcing a change to the implementation timeline for electronic house bills. A new voluntary period will be in place for a period of at least one year.

4. The deconsolidation notice is now available to freight forwarders utilizing the eManifest Portal as well as clients using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). The deconsolidation notice is an electronic notice sent from the CBSA to inform clients (freight forwarders, warehouse operators, terminal operators and carriers) that the CBSA has authorized the transfer of cargo control from a consolidated shipment to the related individual house bills that were submitted by a freight forwarder.

5. The deconsolidation notice serves as electronic notification to the warehouse or terminal operator allow the bonded freight forwarder to move in bond goods within the consolidation. This notice also serves as electronic notification to the party liable for duties and taxes that the cargo document that is being deconsolidated (the consolidated primary cargo or consolidated house bill document) is acquitted.

6. Freight forwarders must ensure that for single shipments (back to back shipments), the shipment is released by the CBSA prior to picking up the shipment from the warehouse.

7. If the CBSA issues a Risk Assessment Notice indicating a “HOLD” has been placed on a shipment, the freight forwarder must ensure that the hold has been removed prior to removing the shipment from the warehouse, even if a deconsolidation notice has been transmitted by the CBSA.

8. The deconsolidation notice is currently an optional notice which various parties (carriers, freight forwarders, terminals and warehouse operators) must register to receive. The CBSA strongly encourages all parties to register to receive the deconsolidation notice as this will enable a smoother transition to the electronic transmission of house bills for freight forwarders as well as reduce the paper burden on all parties involved in the transportation and cargo control process.

9. The following paper options allow various trade partners to determine that the transfer of cargo control has been authorized when one or all parties are not currently able to receive the electronic deconsolidation notice:

Print out of raw EDI deconsolidation notice message
  • Freight forwarder may print out raw EDI message and present to the warehouse operator. 
  • CBSA intervention not required.
  • Warehouse operator allows the freight forwarder to take possession of the shipment(s).
  • Freight forwarder may also create a readable document which must be attached to the raw EDI messages which includes the following information for ease of use by the warehouse operator:
    • the previous cargo control number (CCN) of the consolidated shipment
    • the cargo control numbers (CCNs) of the related house bills

Print out of deconsolidation notice directly from the CBSA Portal
  • Freight forwarder may print out a deconsolidation notice directly from the CBSA eManifest Portal and present it to the warehouse operator.
  • CBSA intervention not required.
  • Warehouse operator allows the freight forwarder to take possession of the shipment(s).

Print out of HB Close Message from the CBSA Portal
  • Freight forwarder may print out a HB Close Message and present it to a Border Services Officer (BSO).
  • BSO will verify and stamp the front of the HB Close Message document.
  • Freight forwarder will present the stamped HB Close Message to the warehouse operator.
  • Warehouse operator allows the freight forwarder to take possession of shipment(s).

A copy of the Consolidated Cargo Control Document (CCD) with related house bill cargo control numbers (CCN) notated on the document.
  • Freight forwarder presents the copy of the CCD with related house bill numbers noted on the document to the BSO for verification and stamping.
  • BSO will verify and stamp the front of the CCD.
  • Freight forwarder will present the stamped copy of the CCD to the warehouse operator.
  • Warehouse operator allows the freight forwarder to take possession of shipment(s).

10. Freight forwarders who are presenting the EDI deconsolidation notice to the warehouse operator and wish to provide a reader friendly document are asked to attach this to the EDI message. The EDI message is the proper transfer document to be used.

11. Warehouse operators must remember that they are required to maintain all books and records as per the requirements set out in paragraph 66 of Memorandum D4-1-4, Customs Sufferance Warehouses.

12. The CBSA remains committed to supporting clients in their transition to eManifest throughout the regulatory implementation timeline through online resources and dedicated client support activities.

13. Clients who are not already registered for the deconsolidation notice should reference Chapter 11 of the Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document (ECCRD). Clients requiring assistance navigating the CBSA portal to print the deconsolidation notice should reference the Portal ECCRD. Clients may contact the TCCU to request a copy of the ECCRD by email at [email protected] or by calling 1-888-957-7224 and selecting Option 1.

14. For email support on eManifest policy and processes, contact the eManifest Help Desk at [email protected].

15. For additional information regarding eManifest requirements clients may visit the CBSA website.

This notice is available on the CBSA website.

Topic(s): 
Acts, Regulations, Policies & Decisions / Customs Notices (CNs)