Canada Says Customs Act Applies to US West Coast Diverters

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has warned that as negotiations continue between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), representing the U.S. waterfront employers, the potential exists for some marine vessels from the U.S. West Coast to be diverted to Canadian West Coast Marine ports.

The potential labour disruption may further impact twenty-nine U.S. West Coast ports, including all the major West Coast container ports, including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Portland, Seattle and Tacoma. It is anticipated that vessel diversions would be to the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert, said the notice in a CIFFA bulletin today.

CBSA said that with Advanced Commercial Information (ACI) processing, clients must ensure that they continue to follow all existing guidance documents such as D Memorandum and ACI Participants Requirements Documents. The CBSA advises clients that all elements of the Customs Act and its regulations will be enforced.

Cargo shipments that do not meet the ACI requirements may be subject to CBSA enforcement actions. All other laws and regulations enforced by the CBSA are applicable to these shipments and conveyances.

In addition, the CBSA said it would like to remind clients that all shipments must continue to comply with the regulations of other government departments, where applicable.

Source: Inchcape Shipping Services; Image: Port Metro Vancouver