CBSA system upgrade forces changes for carriers, service providers

   The Canada Border Services Agency will introduce enhancements to its system in order for it to modernize commercial border processes, and make them more streamlined and predictable, the agency announced Wednesday.
   The update will affect service providers and carriers who are connected with CBSA, requiring them to make necessary upgrades. The agency said the new functionality will be available in July, and that carriers and providers will have one year to make the transition from the current system to the new system.
   CBSA said it has previously handled documentation as separate components and that the new enhancements will let it assess risks as a single unit when determining admission into Canada for goods and people.
   According to CBSA, one major change is that RNS messages will be replaced by new messages known as “completeness notices,” which are pre-arrival notices; “disposition notices” will also be introduced, which are post-arrival notices.
   Secondly, current EDIFACT maps were built by CBSA not in accordance with World Customs Organization standards, the agency said. CBSA will bring the maps in line with WCO standards. In addition, ANSI maps will also be impacted.