| Mandatory Line Release at Windsor Ambassador Bridge |
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(Toronto, March 23, 2007)… Effective April 1, 2007, all commercial shipments entering Canada via the Windsor Ambassador Bridge must be pre-setup with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) under one of the following line release options:
- CSA/FAST
- PARS
- FIRST
- A49
- Post-Audit
- In-Bond
This change is part of a joint initiative between the Canada Border Services Agency and Ambassador Bridge, introduced to enhance security and expedite processing of commercial vehicles.
The most common line release option is PARS (Pre-Arrival Review System). The CBSA have advised that electronic transmissions will take priority over hard-copy paper transactions.
Shipments that are not pre-setup (see exceptions below) will be refused entry to Canada and returned to the USA.
The following types of shipments will be allowed to proceed to Customs Secondary Offsite reporting: Other Government Department (OGD) Requirements, Shortages, Temporary Imports, Live Animals, Used Agriculture Equipment, Used Tires and Used Construction Equipment.
The Ambassador Bridge has established a new Advanced Border Processing Center in Detroit, Michigan, to assist carriers who do not meet the new requirements. For more information, please call 313-965-8299.
Another good source of information is the CBSA question and answer sheet.
Universal Logistics is developing a new, web-based tool "PARS Tracker" that will allow clients, carriers and drivers to track the status of their PARS release request. Watch your email for an announcement of the launch date.
For more information, please contact Brian Rowe, General Manager Customs Consulting Services (905) 882-4880.
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