| Blackout impact
continues |
|
(Toronto, August 19, 2003)... Here
are the latest updates on the impact of the blackout on
border crossings, permit processing, CFIA and CN storage
charges:
Border crossing delays
Customs at the port of Windsor closed temporarily on the
evening of Thursday August 14th. When the Customs
office reopened, most freight was forwarded in-bond to
Toronto for clearance. Because much of the freight
was set up in advance on PARS (Pre-Arrival Review System),
just one of many systems that was not working due to the
blackout, freight had to move in-bond for clearance. Holding
trucks was not an option either due to space limitation. Shipments
arriving via other border points encountered similar problems.
To access current border wait times, go to:
www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/customs/general/times/menu-e.html
Permit processing
Many government offices were closed Friday and Monday,
a few opened with minimal staff today. The EICB (Export
and Import Control Bureau), the office responsible for
generating import permits, is operating on emergency basis
again today with only minimal staff. We recommend
that you notify our office of any incoming shipments subject
to permits (i.e. clothing, steel, etc). That way
applications can be submitted prior to arrival of the shipments,
a step that should reduce waiting time.
CFIA
The CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) resumed full
operations today to avoid any delays involving essential
service providers of food and food manufacturers.
CN daily storage charge update
Canadian National Railway (CN) continues to assess daily
storage charges despite the blackout in Ontario. Friday
August 15th will be included when assessing storage fees
from the terminal.
Free time at the rail yard remains at three days from
the time of grounding, with weekend and holidays being
chargeable days.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
Brian Rowe
General Manager – Customs Consulting Services
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