Welcome to the future where paper is a thing of the past. The landscape of business and commerce is changing, including the way we export. In a digital age, keeping track of exports is getting simpler. Canada is one of the many nations which has digitized its export process. CERS is one mandatory export filing for Canadian exports, that replaces paper-based documentation with an electronic format for document submission.
The free, self serve, CERS online portal is designed to streamline the export process and reduce administrative burden for exporters. However, many exporters continue to overlook this filing, and end up missing it in their export process, which can lead to hefty consequences, including penalties and fines. If you plan on exporting out of Canada, then you may want to familiarize yourself with how the CERS filing works and the easiest way to set yours up.
CERS (Canadian Export Reporting System), is a streamlined, centralized way for Canadian exporters to file their information with a federal agency. CERS is a mandatory filing for any export leaving Canada, because it informs CBSA and Statistics Canada of any exports leaving the country. The filing lead to submissions of an export declaration, providing integral export data to Canadian customs. The CERS filing allows CBSA to track exports and enforce regulations, such as export permits, so it is essential to file yours.
You may be familiar with form B13A form, or the Canadian Automated Export Declaration (CAED), both of which had been used for declaring exports. As of 2020, the CAED system was phased out and a new one took its place, the CERS.
The CERS is fully electronic, and it is mandatory. Failure to submit your export declarations, or required permits and licenses, via CERS can result in hefty fines and other penalties for your business. The CBSA takes these CERS filings very seriously, so you should as well. Liability will fall on the exporter, if any issues come up.
Within Canada, exports which are valued at over $2000 CAD will require an export filing, and thus you will need to file your CERS. However, there are also a few other rules on what must be declared, as exports of goods which are prohibited or regulated commodities, regardless of value, also require an export filing. Goods which meet each of the two above categories, and goods headed to places outside of the USA will require a CERS filing. To sum up, you must file CERS for:
Exporters who have been in the game a while have likely received notices from CBSA, with instruction on how to set up their CERS account. If you are an exporter who is just starting out, then you will want to first begin by applying for CERS Export Authority Report number, which is required in order to use CERS. To apply for CERS, you would need to complete Form BSF81, or Exporter Reporting Application Form. Approval takes up to five business days after submission to CBSA.
The issue with CERS is that you can’t just register yourself and start right away, rather you have to wait for an approval process. If there are errors in your submission, the process takes longer, so you'll want to do it right the first time.
Once you’ve gotten started on your CERS, Zipments can also help you figure out how to submit export declarations or summary reports, and even how to add users to your CERS. The experience is easy and simplified, so you can focus on your business. To get started you can reach out to a Zipments representative directly at:
Once you start using CERS for your export declarations or summary reports, it will be important to understand the timelines you will need to submit your documents in. All export declarations must be submitted before goods are exported from Canada.
Remember that the CERS filing has to be completed every time exports leave Canada, so it is not a one-time thing.
The CERS is an important part of exporting out of Canada. You can learn how to set it up and file correctly, with the help of Zipments. The CERS filing can have a serious impact on your export business, and effective use of the system can help reduce any administrative burdens your business may face. Our experienced team can help you learn how to set up your CERS and understand how to file correctly, so don’t hesitate to get started today!