Request for accurate cargo description for shipments to and through Canada

Other

2025.06.06

Thank you for your continued support of the ANA group.
Regarding the subject matter, please be informed that there have been cases where the cargo descriptions provided by customers at the origin do not meet the requirements set by the Canadian authorities. This has resulted in situations where cargo cannot be smoothly cleared or collected at the destination, and in some instances, penalties or fines have been imposed.
To ensure accurate cargo information, we kindly ask for your cooperation in providing detailed cargo descriptions with reference to the list of acceptable descriptions provided by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Please note in advance that any penalties, fines, or additional charges arising from incomplete or inaccurate information submitted may be borne by the customer.

1. Applicable shipment
   Shipments to and through Canada
   
   
2. Request
   1.Providing Detailed cargo description
   When submitting direct AWB or HAWB information to us, please provide detailed cargo description in the "Nature and Quantity of Goods" or "Shipment Description".
   ・ Detailed cargo description is a clear and concise description of an item.
   ・ The description should be in plain language and detailed enough to allow CBSA to identify the size, shape and characteristics of the cargo.
   ・ Information not relevant to the cargo description (e.g. quantity, type of packaging, carrier disclaimers, etc.), should not be transmitted in the cargo description field.

Examples of cargo descriptions can be found on the following page provided by CBSA.
<Detailed commodity descriptions>
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/aci-manif-ipec/commod-fret-eng.html

2.How to provide cargo description for shipments eligible for the Courier Low-Value Shipment (CLVS) Program
Courier Low-Value Shipments (hereinafter referred to as CLVS) are goods transported under the CLVS Program administered by CBSA, a system designated for low-value shipments handled exclusively by authorized courier companies.
To clearly distinguish these shipments from regular cargo, we kindly request that the following statement be included at the beginning of the cargo description field:
"CLVS PROGRAM GOODS ACI EXEMPT" or "CLVS PROGRAM SHIPMENTS ACI EXEMPT"

 Example of description:
CLVS PROGRAM GOODS ACI EXEMPT - (detailed cargo description)
CLVS PROGRAM SHIPMENTS ACI EXEMPT - (detailed cargo description)

For more information about the CLVS program, please refer to the following page provided by CBSA.
(Memorandum D17-4-0: Courier Low Value Shipment Program)
 https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d17/d17-4-0-eng.html

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