The Pre-arrival Review System (PARS) allows importers and brokers to submit release on minimum documentation (RMD) information to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for review and processing before their goods arrive in Canada. This speeds up the release or referral for examination process when the goods arrive in Canada.
When the shipment arrives at a border point of entry, the CBSA will release it within minutes unless an examination or further processing is required to meet another government department's regulation.
Importers using PARS must attach a bar-coded label to a bill of lading or commercial invoice. The label is encoded with the word PARS, an alphanumeric CBSA-assigned carrier code registered to the importing shipper, and a sequential number. The bar-coded label is scanned at the point of entry by the CBSA. If the shipment has been pre-approved, it is released for entry into Canada. If the shipment is not approved, or requires further inspection by a government agency, the shipment is not released.
Pre-arrival Review System
The Pre-arrival Review System (PARS) allows importers and brokers to submit release on minimum documentation (RMD) information to the CBSA for review and processing before their goods arrive in Canada. This speeds up the release or referral for examination process when the goods arrive in Canada.
The electronic transmission and exceptions to transmitting electronically when using the PARS release option are the same as for RMD. Goods that require permits, licences or certificates, including those commodities controlled by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), can be processed using PARS. Provided the client submits the PARS request within the following time frames, the release recommendation will be ready by the time the goods arrive in Canada:
EDI: at least one hour before arrival Paper: at least two hours before arrival
When the shipment arrives, the CBSA will release it within minutes unless an examination or further processing is required to meet another government department's regulation.
For details on line release, see Memorandum D17-1-4, Release of Commercial Goods.
As of April 1, 2008, the CBSA no longer accepts paper versions of RMD or PARS requests. There are certain exceptions to this requirement for which the client may submit a paper package with an exceptions lead sheet attached.
If these exceptions do not apply, a release request may be submitted with a Form B3 (type C), Canada Customs Coding Form, attached or the client may solicit the services of an EDI-capable broker.
'Release on minimum documentation (RMD)'
RMD allows importers to obtain release of their goods by presenting data for interim accounting. Full accounting data and payment are not required at the time of release but they are required within certain time frames. More information on accounting and payment can be found in Memorandum D17-1-5, Importing Commercial Goods.
The goal of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is to process complete and accurate release requests that do not require its officers to examine the goods or to review the permits, within the following times:
Electronic data interchange (EDI): 45 minutes EDI machine release: 5 minutes