CBSA Exempts Non-Hazardous Rail Buffer Cars from ACI Requirements

As of October 4, buffer cars carrying non-hazardous materials like sand and rocks are exempt from ACI or eManifest cargo data requirements.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has issued Customs Notice 24-33 to announce updates to the regulatory requirements for loaded rail buffer cars.

Effective October 4, 2024, carriers no longer need to submit cargo data for specific rail cars transporting non-hazardous inert materials.

However, rail cars carrying hazardous materials will still need to adhere to all Advance Commercial Information (ACI) and Other Government Department (OGD) requirements.

This move aims to reduce compliance paperwork and simplify the transportation of these goods.

Key highlights of the notice

• Exemption for non-hazardous rail buffer cars: Rail buffer cars loaded with non-hazardous inert materials such as sand and rocks are exempt from the OGD requirements. Consequently, these rail cars do not require ACI or eManifest cargo data submission.

• Cargo exception code: Rail carriers handling these exempted buffer cars must use the appropriate cargo exception code, Code 02 (Ottawa File and Container Banks), when transmitting conveyance data through ACI/eManifest systems.

• Hazardous inert materials: Rail buffer cars carrying hazardous materials, such as soil, that fall under OGD regulations will still require complete ACI/eManifest data, as well as the necessary OGD approvals, within the required timeframes. 

• CFIA AIRS Updates: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has updated its Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) to reflect these new exemptions.

Carriers should make sure their systems are updated to transmit the correct cargo exception code. For information on exceptions from cargo data requirements, please refer to Chapter 3: Advance Commercial Information (ACI)/eManifest Rail of the Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document (ECCRD).

Please reach out to one of our trade professionals to discuss how this might affect your business.