Single Window Initiative (SWI) - Survival Guide for ECCC Vehicle and Engine Emissions Program
The new SWI landscape
The Single Window Initiative means several changes for importers:
- How you need to submit documentation is in flux;
- When that documentation is needed has changed; and
- Which documentation is required is also shifting.
Our goal is to help you understand what is expected for the new “how, when, and what” of SWI requirements relating to the items you ship. These updates guide importers through specific commodities or categories of commodities, and the Participating Government Agencies (PGAs) that are affected.
How, when, and what
- Single Window Initiative requires all import documentation to be prepared and submitted before the shipment reaches customs.
- SWI is a new way of submitting documentation. All docs will be submitted using the Integrated Import Declaration (IID). Some of the requirements for how you submit are changing. For example: some documents that needed to be faxed now require an uploaded electronic image or just the document number.
- There may be changes to which documents are required under SWI.
- The launch date of SWI is still unknown, but it’s time to get proactive and adjust your workflow to ensure paperwork is ready before you ship.
Why importers need to know
Under the new SWI, it’s important that you understand which Participating Government Agencies (PGAs) are regulating your products. Some products are regulated by multiple PGAs, and the PGAs regulating your products may have changed under SWI. Additionally, each PGA and the CBSA can issue penalties for incorrect and missing documents. Understanding what information and documentation is needed for clearance will make the clearance process into Canada smoother and more efficient.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) - Vehicle and Engine Emissions Program
ECCC’s Vehicle and Engine Emissions Program is one of the most difficult PGAs for which to gather the correct information. But who would know the ins and outs of your engines better than you, the importer? Providing the full details of the engine ensures that all the data requirements of ECCC Vehicle and Engine Emissions Program are met.
The SWI data elements required for release include:
- Diesel or spark ignition (gasoline) engine
- Engine manufacturer and complete address
- Make of engine
- Model of engine
- Model year of engine
- Engine family name: mandatory for off-road diesel, small and large spark-ignition engines
- Engine identification number (serial number): mandatory for off-road engines
- Evaporative family: mandatory for off-road large spark-ignition engines
- Engine capacity (horsepower or kilowatts): this is optional, but helps with classifying
- Compliance statement/label: which of the following is it?
- National emissions mark
- EPA certified or considered equivalent to EPA certificate
- Canada unique vehicle, engines or
- Incomplete vehicle or engine
A picture of the engine plate is also a great help in completing the required data elements.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is made up of four (4) vehicle and engine emissions programs:
On-road vehicles, engines, and equipment- Off-road mobile and stationary compression (diesel) and mobile large spark-ignition (gasoline) engines
- Off-road small spark-ignition (gasoline) engines
- Marine spark-ignition (gasoline) engines, vessels, and off-road recreational vehicles
Along with Transport Canada, any vehicles where an engine is included will require some information on that engine for Environment and Climate Change Canada:
- On-road vehicle and engine emissions regulations
- Passenger automobile and light truck greenhouse gas emission regulations
- Heavy-duty vehicle and engine greenhouse gas emission regulations
- Off-road compression ignition engine emission regulations
- Off-road small spark-ignition engine emission regulations
- Marine spark-ignition engine, vessel, and off-road recreational vehicle emission regulations
ECCC Vehicle and Engine Emissions Program required information
Please note: ECCC Vehicle and Engine Emissions Program requires some of the same information that Transport Canada’s Vehicles Program may ask for. If the product you are importing has requirements under both participating government departments, you will only need to provide them once.
- Make of vehicle
- Make of engine
- Model of vehicle
- Model of engine
- Model year of vehicle
- Model year of engine
- Engine manufacturer name
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Engine identification number
- Name of engine Family
- Test group name
- Engine power rating
- Make of machine (off-road compression & spark-ignition)
- Model of machine (off-road compression & spark-ignition)
- Model year of machine (off-road compression & spark-ignition)
Vehicle class
- Light-duty vehicles
- Light-duty trucks
- Medium-duty passenger vehicles
- On-road motorcycles
- Heavy-duty Class 2B vehicles with installed engine
- Heavy-duty Class 3 vehicles with installed engine
- Heavy-duty vocational vehicles with installed engine
- Heavy-duty tractors with installed engine
- Incomplete vehicles
Engine class
- Heavy duty engine – loose
- Heavy duty engine – incomplete
- Off-road mobile compression-ignition – loose
- Off-road mobile compression-ignition – installed
- Off-road stationary compression-ignition – loose
- Off-road stationary compression-ignition – installed
- Off-road mobile large spark-ignition – loose
- Off-road mobile large spark-ignition – installed
- Off-road spark-ignition – loose
- Off-road spark-ignition – installed
- Off-road spark-ignition – replacement
Affirmation of statement compliance
- National emissions mark
- EPA certified or considered equivalent to EPA certified
- Canada unique vehicles, engines
- Incomplete vehicles or engines
- EPA certified and sold concurrently in Canada and the U.S.
- Transition and sold concurrently in Canada and the U.S.
- Canada unique engines
- Replacement engines
- Incomplete engines
For SWI, being proactive is your best strategy—gather all your information and documentation as far in advance as possible. Importers who know the requirements for the products they’re importing, and understand the new processes under SWI, will have a much smoother import experience.
As you adjust to the new requirements and workflow of the Single Window Initiative, we're here to help. Our customs team is ready to help you understand the SWI and its new requirements for your commodities—contact us today!
SWI. It's what we do.
