What is The Deconsolidation Notice?
The electronic notice from the CBSA informs carriers, warehouse operators, and freight forwarders that CBSA has approved the transfer of cargo control from a consolidated shipment to the associated separate secondary house bills as provided by the freight forwarder. The Deconsolidation Notice is just one message that is available as part of a larger set of messages known as CBSA eManifest Notices.
The Deconsolidation Notice functions as an electronic report to warehouse operators informing them that they can allow freight forwarders to take control of the cargo in the consolidation.
As it currently stands, the Deconsolidation Notice is an optional notice and clients need to register with CBSA if they want to receive it. In instances in which a freight forwarder cannot receive the Deconsolidation Notice in electronic format and the warehouse operator does not receive it, a paper copy of the EDI notice may be printed by the forwarder and furnished to the warehouse operator. The paper copy of the Deconsolidation Notice typically authorizes the warehouse operator to allow the freight forwarder to take over the consignments linked to the primary CCN (cargo control number).
CBSA Update – Deconsolidation Notice – Paper Options for Warehouse Operations, Terminal Operators and Freight Forwarders
The Updated Customs Notice 16-20 provided information for terminal operators, warehouse operators and freight forwarders about the deconsolidation notice and the procedure of releasing consignments to freight forwarders by the warehouse operator.
The Timeline for Implementation
- Customs Notice 17-20 came into force on June 21, 2017
- On June 29th, 2016 the CBSA made it possible for clients to receive the deconsolidation notice.
- On May 23rd, 2017 the Canada Border Control Services published Customs Notice 17-15 that announced that electronic house bills would now have a new implementation timeline. The new voluntary timeline would be active for a period of at least 1 year from the date of the customs notice.
What is New about the Deconsolidation Notice?
While the Deconsolidation Notice was once only available to participants using EDI, freight forwarders can now use the eManifest Portal to get the Deconsolidation Notice.
Freight forwarders need to ensure that single shipments (back to back) have the clearance from the CBSA before they pick them up from the warehouse.
In the instance that the CBSA places a Risk Assessment Notice on a consignment, indicated by a “HOLD”, the freight forwarder has to make sure that they get the hold on the consignment lifted before they remove the consignment from the warehouse. This applies even in instances when the CBSA has transmitted a Deconsolidation Notice.
While the deconsolidation notice is optional for the various parties that need to register to get the notice, the CBSA encourages warehouse and terminal operators, freight forwarders and carriers to register. By doing so they will make the changeover to the electronic exchange of house bills easier for freight forwarders. It will also result in a reduction of paper documentation for all the parties that are engaged in the cargo control and transportation process.
The Paper Options Available
In instances in which one of the parties involved in the movement of the cargo process has not received or is unable to receive the Deconsolidation Notice, the CBSA provides the following paper options:
Print out EDI Deconsolidation Notices in Raw Format
It is now possible to print out a copy of the EDI message which can then be furnished to the warehouse operator.
Once the warehouse operator has the printout of the EDI message they will allow the freight forwarder to claim the consignment(s) from the warehouse.
The Freight forwarder also has the option of creating a legible document that could be attached to the raw EDI message. Some of the information that needs to be included in the document for the use of the warehouse operator include:
- The cargo control numbers (CCNs) of the related house bills
- The preceding cargo control number (primary CCN) of the consolidation
Print out the House Bill Close Message right from the CBSA Portal
Freight forwarders have the option of printing out the House Bill Close message which they can then present to the Border Services Officer (BSO).
The BSO verifies and stamps the document
The freight forwarder can then submit the stamped document to the warehouse operator
The warehouse operator will then allow the forwarder to take control of the consignment
A Reproduction of the CCD (Cargo Control Document) with Associated House Bill CCN Written on the Document.
The freight forwarder will submit a copy of the cargo control document with associated house bill numbers annotated on the document so that the BSO can verify and stamp it.
BSO verifies and stamps the front of the document
Freight forwarder submits the printed reproduction of the document to the warehouse operator
Warehouse operator lets the freight forwarder to collect the shipment(s)
Other Changes
Freight forwarders who want to offer reader-friendly EDI deconsolidation notices to the warehouse operator need to attach such to the EDI message. The appropriate transfer document that has to be used in the process is the EDI message.
Paragraph 66 of Memorandum D4-1-4 sets out the requirements that warehouse operators need to adhere to when maintaining records and books according to the Customs Sufferance Warehouse code.
Conclusion
The CBSA intends to support clients as they transition to Deconsolidation Notices through the journey to full eManifest implementation. Through regulatory implementation, timelines, dedicated client support activities, and online resources, various partners can get all the information they require.
