Pre-Arrival Review System (PARS)

The Pre-Arrival Review System (PARS) in Canada allows Customs Brokers to submit shipment release information to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) before the arrival of goods at destination. This process speeds up the release or referral for examination process when the goods arrive. The system can be used for air and ocean shipments, however this blog will focus on imports coming to Canada by truck. On an average day, over 30,000 trucks cross the US/Canada border. PARS entries help the CBSA to filter potential threats to Canada.

What is Needed to Clear Shipments using PARS

The CBSA requires electronic transmission of information at least 1 hour before the arrival of goods at the border for truck shipments. Here is the information required for a Customs Broker to transmit an entry to CBSA

1) Business number of the importer 2) PARS number, which is a shipment specific barcode issued by the transportation company, along with their border crossing information 3) Commercial Invoice 4) Permits, licenses, certificates or any authorizations by other government departments or agencies

How Customs Brokers Clear Shipments using PARS

Orbit creates an entry for CBSA once the above information has been received. The entry contains the required information CBSA needs to decide whether to release the shipment for entry into Canada, or to examine the cargo. The entry is sent electronically to the Customs office at the border crossing the transportation company chooses. As licensed Customs Brokers, Orbit Brokers can clear shipments crossing at any port into Canada. The driver presents his PARS barcode to the CBSA officer when the truck gets to the border. The Border Services Officer scans the barcode and it brings up the Customs Broker’s entry in their system. At that point the Officer decides whether to allow the shipment to enter Canada or refer the shipment for inspection.

Checking Status of Orbit Brokers’ PARS

Our regular office hours are Monday to Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm, however commerce moves 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Transport companies that need shipments setup outside of business hours can email their PARS requests to info@orbitbrokers.ca. This email address is monitored 24/7. Orbit Brokers has an online PARS checking website that can be found here. Transportation companies can enter in their PARS barcode and see the status of the entry in real time. Once CBSA makes a decision regarding the entry, an acceptance message will appear and the driver can proceed to the border.

Please Contact Us for more information on the Pre-Arrival Review System. Please click here if you would like a quote on our services.