April 1, 2020 – Further to our posting February 21, 2020 on the reminder of CBSA’s Customs Notice CN19-21- published last year, the decommissioning of other government department (OGD) is postponed to a later time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CBSA
A message to industry was issued due to concerning COVID-19: the Canada Border Services Agency will delay the April 1, 2020 date on the decommissioning of the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) declaration method: Other Government Department (OGD) Pre-Arrival Review System (PARS) and the OGD Release on Minimum Documentation (RMD) legacy systems. CBSA advises the date is yet to be determined of the new implementation date. As such, clients that have completed the on-boarding process are encouraged to utilize the SWI IID (SO911) for all OGD release requests.
Information on CBSA’s Single Window Initiative (SWI) program learn more here.
CFIA
A message from CFIA was also issued on concerns on the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) clients are now using the Single Window Initiative (SWI) Integrated Import Declaration (IID), and we strongly encourage all CFIA regulated importers and customs brokers who have not made the switch to the updated import declaration system to do so as soon as possible.
To learn more about the SW IID and its benefits, read the CFIA notice to industry.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is taking action to preserve the integrity of Canada’s food safety system, while safeguarding its animal and plant resource base. The CFIA has activated its business continuity plan, which introduces a temporary suspension of low-risk activities that do not immediately impact the production of safe food for Canadians in order to prioritize critically important services during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The food safety system remains strong.
Full statement
CFIA information on COVID-19
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): PHAC Outbreak update
Agriculture and Agri-Food
The agriculture and agri-food sector plays a critical role in distributing safe, high-quality food to Canadians. Maintaining the integrity of the agri-food supply chain during an emergency is essential for all Canadians. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is closely monitoring developments related to COVID-19 and its impacts on the Canadian agricultural industry. The Government of Canada is taking the necessary steps to ensure that producers and processors can continue to operate effectively and keep supply lines open, while informing industry of the latest developments
As the COVID-19 situation develops, AAFC will update the Q&A’s on this webpage.