April 2, 2020 – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) recently issued Accounts Receivable Ledger Bulletin #51 (April 1, 2020) which provides those importers that have made an electronic payment of their CBSA month-end Statement of Account (SOA) between March 27th and April 10th, 2020 the option to have their payments either remain on the account or be returned to them.
This follows the recently issued Customs Notice CN20-11 regarding the extension of timeframes for the payment of customs duties and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) due to COVID-19 pandemic. The deferral allows businesses that pay the CBSA directly (i.e. through their own customs bonds) to defer payments due for March, April and May to June 1, 2020.
As noted in the bulletin, If you have made an electronic payment directly to the CBSA between March 27th and April 10th and would like to provide the CBSA with guidance as to how that payment should be treated, please send one of responses below to the Electronic Payments inbox at:
CBSA.Electronic_Commercial_Payment-Paiement_commercial_electronique.ASFC@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Please include your payment amount, the date the payment was sent, and RM/Broker ASEC number in the email.
Option 1: I would like my payment to remain on the account
If you would like your payment to remain on the account, please use the following subject line and email template.
Subject Line: Payment of $[AMOUNT] to remain on account [RM0001/BROKER ASEC]
Body:
Hello,
I am requesting that my electronic payment of $[AMOUNT] sent on [DATE] remain on account [RM0001/ BROKER ASEC].
Option 2: I would like my payment to be returned
If you would like your payment to be returned to you, please use the following subject line and email template. The method of payment return will be determined when your request is processed.
Subject Line: Payment of $[AMOUNT] return request for account [RM0001/BROKER ASEC]
Body:
Hello,
I am requesting that my electronic payment of $[AMOUNT] on account [RM0001/BROKER ASEC] sent on [DATE] be returned .
For any questions, please contact CBSA.Electronic_Commercial_Payment-Paiement_commercial_electronique.ASFC@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
For further assistance contact your Livingston representative.