The ASECC program is designed to simplify customs clearance procedures in Canada’s Arctic region, where limited infrastructure and operating conditions can present logistical challenges.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has published Customs Notice 25-13, announcing several important updates to the Arctic Shipping Electronic Commercial Clearances (ASECC) pilot program.
The modifications introduced in the customs notice include revised application deadlines, new flexibility for containerized cargo, clearer guidelines on program participation, and clarified reporting codes.
Under the Customs Act, carriers are required to report all cargo and conveyances to the nearest open CBSA office designated for that purpose, regardless of their arrival point in Canada, whether near a CBSA-designated Commercial Vessel port (C/VESS) or not.
The ASECC pilot program allows pre-approved carriers and vessels to report and clear conveyance, crew, and cargo electronically to meet the reporting requirements.
However, CBSA maintains the authority to reject the allowance of an electronic report and can direct any vessel to a designated C/VESS port or arrange with carriers to clear marine vessels and cargo while they are anchored at sea—on a special service or cost recovery basis.
Below is a summary of the key updates and requirements for participation in the ASECC pilot program.
As part of the ASECC pilot program application process, the CBSA has moved the deadline for carriers to submit their Business Profile Application (Form BSF786).
The ASECC season starts on July 1st of the application year and ends on June 30th of the following calendar year.
However, applications must now be submitted by April 30 each year, replacing the previous deadline of June 30.
Applications submitted after April 30 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis—only if they are submitted at least four (4) weeks before the vessel departs from the foreign port.
The CBSA has emphasized that carriers who fail to submit required documentation or amendments before the vessel arrives in Canada may be required to physically report at a designated C/VESS port.
This includes cases where changes to cargo, crew, or voyage information are submitted late or incomplete.
Marine carriers participating in the ASECC pilot program are now allowed to transport goods. Previously, they were required to report to the nearest designated CBSA office.
Carriers transporting cargo to Canada must transmit Advance Commercial Information (ACI) data for cargo and conveyance to the CBSA before loading or arriving in Canada.
Additionally, they are required to electronically transmit the Conveyance Arrival Certification Message (CACM) upon arrival in Canada.
If the goods are subject to Other Government Department (OGD) requirements, the importer must submit a release request and any other required documents in advance—seven (7) days before the vessel departs from the foreign port.
If the CBSA determines that OGD-regulated goods require examination, the vessel will be obligated and instructed to report to a designated C/VESS port.
The CBSA strongly encourages ASECC pilot program participants to submit release request documents for all goods, including those not regulated by OGD requirements, within the same timeframe—seven (7) days prior to the vessel’s departure from a foreign port.
To request an exception to transport containerized cargo, the carrier must submit a formal request with detailed information to the host region at least two (2) weeks prior to the standard seven (7) day pre-departure submission deadline.
The request must include the following information:
The CBSA requires this information to analyze the cargo and assess the request for an exception. Requests submitted at the last minute will not be granted, as the CBSA requires sufficient time to complete its review.
Currently, carriers transporting containerized cargo are not allowed to participate in the ASECC pilot program.
Instead, they must report to the nearest CBSA office that is specifically designated for the clearance of vessels, type of cargo, and method of carriage.
Participation in the ASECC program involves a two-part approval process. Carriers must complete both parts for each shipping season and every individual voyage.
The first step requires the carrier (lowest legal entity with an active bonded CBSA approved carrier code) to submit a Business Profile Application using Form BSF786 – Arctic Shipping Electronic Commercial Clearance (ASECC) Pilot Program Carrier Pre-Season Business Profile.
The application must be submitted by April 30 each year to Nunavut_Clearance@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. Additionally, a copy must be sent to the CBSA National Targeting Centre (NTC) at CBSA-ASFC-PANS-APA@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.
Carriers must also notify the CBSA of any changes to their business profile after submission, including updates to vessel ownership or the addition or removal of vessels.
These changes will be assessed, and the CBSA will determine whether the affected vessel(s) are approved to participate in the ASECC pilot program.
Approval of Part 1 applications still requires the vessel to report to a CBSA C/VESS port, and carriers must still fulfil their reporting obligations under Section 12 of the Customs Act.
Approval or denial to report to the CBSA electronically and travel directly to the Arctic will be provided after reviewing the Part 2 ASECC voyage information.
Once a carrier’s Part 1 application has been approved, the second step is to submit a Part 2 package for each vessel and each voyage.
The complete Part 2 package must be submitted to the NTC at CBSA-ASFC-PANS-APA@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca at least seven (7) days before the vessel departs from the foreign port, with a copy sent to the relevant host region (the region responsible for processing the clearance request).
The Part 2 package must include the following:
The final crew information must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure from the foreign port.
Additionally, for vessels carrying OGD-regulated goods, release request documents must be submitted to the host region at least seven (7) days before departing from the foreign port.
The following eligibility conditions also apply:
For carriers submitting conveyance and cargo information, and for customs brokers submitting release request information, the following port and warehouse codes should be used for transmitting ACI (“FPOA/Port of Report” on the ACI conveyance report and “FPOA/Port of Report” and “Port of Destination” on the ACI cargo report) and release requests (“Port of Release”):
The CBSA requires carriers to report any illnesses or health issues related to communicable diseases on board.
This information should be reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) quarantine officer for assessment as soon as possible before arriving at a Canadian port.
In addition to notifying the NTC and the host region, carriers must notify PHAC by email at phac.cns-snc.aspc@canada.ca. If immediate assistance is required, carriers can contact a quarantine officer by phone at 1-833-615-2384.
Carriers are required to notify PHAC only if there are concerns regarding a communicable disease illness on board.
To ensure compliance, all carriers requesting processing under the ASECC pilot program must submit their pre-arrival data and arrival messages using ACI.
At this time, carriers arriving in Canada in-ballast have the option to transmit their ACI to the CBSA. If a carrier chooses this option, they must also report their arrival electronically by submitting the CACM.
Additionally, marine carriers must hold a bonded carrier code for alternate processing, where a valid bond is required when unreleased goods are moved beyond the first port of arrival.
To ensure vessels destined for Arctic ports comply with alternate processing directives, regulations, and policies, the CBSA will enforce compliance through its established compliance program initiatives, administrative monetary penalties (AMP), and leveraging OGDs.
These OGDs include the Canadian Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Department of National Defence, and Transport Canada.
If you import goods into Canada through the Arctic region, you should carefully review these updates to avoid delays and additional reporting obligations.
At Cole International, we provide customs and compliance consulting and customs brokerage services to help you navigate changing regulations and simplify your import processes.
Please reach out to one of our trade professionals for more information about the ASECC pilot program and how to request approval to transport containerized cargo.