Single Window Initiative (SWI) - Survival Guide for Natural Resource Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency

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.

Natural Resources Canada (NRC) – Office of Energy Efficiency

Before importing regulated energy-using products into Canada under NRC’s Office of Energy Efficiency, at the time of release a dealer must include specific information regarding the product.

The commercial invoice or Canada Customs invoice must show the specific information listed below:

Name of product: the name of the product being imported. Refer to this searchable list of energy-efficient products.

Model number: for electric motors, the importer is encouraged to provide the model number instead of an Unique Motor Identifier (UMI).

Brand name: the name or term that identifies the goods. A brand helps identify one item, a family of items, or all items of the seller.

Importer address: address of the dealer who is importing the product

Intended use: the purpose for which the product is being imported

• for sale or lease in Canada without modification
• for sale or lease in Canada after being modified to comply with the prescribed energy efficiency standard, or
• for use as a component in a product being exported from Canada

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.