Due to the flooding and road closures in British Columbia, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a joint update with CBSA to provide guidance for carriers with CSMS #50162293.
International Carriers
International carriers are expected to file electronic truck manifests in advance and utilize a transportation and exportation (T&E) bond. Restricted merchandise, such as agricultural products, will continue to require the applicable licenses, permits, certificates or other documentation. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prior notice will be required for human and animal food products.
Domestic Carriers
Canadian domestic truck carriers that do not have electronic manifesting capabilities or the ability to file as a bonded carrier will be limited to the following ports:
- Emerson MB (Pembina, North Dakota 701-825-5800);
- North Portal Saskatchewan (Portal Station, North Dakota 701-926-7500);
- Coutts AB (Sweetgrass, Montana 406-335-9610);
- Kingsgate; BC (Eastport, Idaho 208-267-3966);
- Osoyoos, BC (Oroville, Washington 509-476-2955); and,
- PAC Highway (Blaine, Washington 360-332-5771)
Bond requirements for carriers within the containment area will be waived for trucking companies that do not normally cross the US border.
Prohibited items currently legal in Canada, but not in the U.S. will not be authorized for movement under these procedures.
Restricted merchandise, such as medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, agriculture commodities, and live animals, may require further review by CBP personnel at the port of entry.
UPDATE
- All equipment, trailers, and containers moving under these procedures must be sealed at or before arrival at the U.S. border. These seals should be clearly identified to CBP and CBSA for verification and inspection as necessary.
- Any Canadian carriers that currently operate between the U.S. and Canada as well as domestically are expected to follow the standard procedures for transit, including the advance filing of an electronic truck manifest and utilization of an in-bond or in-transit transaction. This applies to both rail and truck carriers.
- If a carrier is using automated methods of transmission under these procedures, the data available for those shipments may not be the same as for cargo intended for import into the U.S. To mitigate this, carriers should describe the merchandise in general (i.e. foodstuffs, groceries, and other products destined to Canadian stores, moving through the U.S. due to flooding emergency).
- For Transportation and Exportation (T&E type 62) in-bond shipments filed electronically and moving under these procedures, the general description above applies and 9804.00 may be used for the required HTSUS number and value should be estimated based on shipping valuation. If necessary and no values are known, $2 (USD) per pound may be used for this process.
- CBP will exercise maximum flexibility regarding these domestic freight shipments. It is recommended that carriers have normal clearance documents readily available such as bill of lading, invoices, etc. to facilitate clearance.
Please read CSMS #50162293 for additional information.