March 18, 2020 COVID-19 CBSA Commercial & Trade Update

COVID-19 Daily Commercial Update to Industry – Stakeholders

Canada Border Services Agency key message is “Borders remain open and commercial operations are ‘business as usual’”

1. Borders remain open for commercial operations and the CBSA is actively working to facilitate goods movement.

2. The CBSA cannot issue interpretations of Government of Canada announcements.

3. Unless changes are announced to clearance procedures or the admissibility of goods, importers should not assume a change has been made or that confirmation is required.

What CBSA Is Looking Into

· Paper processing issues and electronic alternates

· Temporary measures for payments and penalties for duties and taxes, trade verifications, etc.

· Commercial temporary foreign worker (TFW) drivers being denied entry into the US and Canada

Key Issues

Context in which CBSA is considering issues raised. Please note that we are currently working on developing an issues tracker which will be available online in the coming days.

· CBSA is considering alternatives to some existing paper processes.  Any alternate processes will be communicated on a case-by-case basis.

· Many requests received require coordination with other Government departments.

Other Sources of Information

· Transport Canada issued a media release March 17, 2020, which provides notable exceptions to the 14-day self-isolation for all arrivals. This includes individuals in the trade and transportation sector such as flight crews, truck drivers, railroaders, mariners. These workers are asked to closely self-monitor, and self-isolate immediately should they exhibit any symptoms

New measures for COVID-19 response