The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has a mandate to ensure that all goods entering Canada do not pose a risk to the health, safety, and security of Canadians, while facilitating the free-flow of legitimate goods.
The vast majority of marine containers shipments are processed and authorized by the CBSA to enter Canada without delay. A small percentage of containers is selected by the CBSA for examination, based on a comprehensive risk assessment and random selection, using state of the art technology to facilitate the examination process at no cost to the importer.
The commercial examination process consists of key stakeholders with distinct roles in moving containers into Canada. The CBSA is responsible for the examination of marine containers, but does not control, influence, or charge for the:
- movement of containers to and from the CBSA; and
- offloading and reloading of containers.
View the process map and frequently asked questions (FAQ) on marine container examination process
The CBSA requests containers for examination (holds) well before the ship arrives; targeted by the National Targeting Centre (NTC) and dockside teams. The terminal operators and the Container Examination Facilities (CEFs) are notified before the ship has arrived (usually 3-4 days in advance). The CEF operator and terminal operator makes arrangements to present the containers to the CEF and dockside teams for examination. Delays in the Vancouver area are typically a result of the truck reservation system on/off the port and presenting the containers in a timely manner.
The CBSA is the only stakeholder in the trade chain that has committed service standards (24 hours) at the CEF to complete an examination of the container and contents, subject to fumigant testing/acceptance. CEFs across Canada scheduled hours are Monday to Friday; no weekends. There has not been any hold up for the CEFs across Canada for container exams due to staffing. Examinations at marine CEFs have not been affected due to COVID.
Health Safety and Security exams (NTC referrals) for contraband and National Security are all conducted at Marine Container Examination Facilities (higher security/control of goods) at first point of arrival. Commercial secondary (regulatory-OGD, piece count etc.) are conducted at sufferance warehouses and can be conducted across Canada after the goods move inland/in bond.
The following information is commonly provided by the CBSA:
- CBSA does not charge for exams
- CBSA relies on industry to present goods for exams
- CBSA does not have any input in to fee structures or schedules charged by industry.
Details on marine container examination information are available on the CBSA website.