Canada Customs Information

Canadian Customs Information (311) is a transaction set used to communicate customs declaration details for shipments entering or moving through Canada. Typically sent by importers, freight forwarders, or customs brokers to Canadian customs authorities or their representatives, this transaction set provides comprehensive shipment documentation. The B2A (Set Purpose) segment establishes the intent of the transmission, while the N9 (Reference Identification) segment carries critical identifiers such as bill of lading numbers or customs entry numbers. The repeating N1 loop identifies parties involved in the transaction—such as consignees, shippers, and notify parties—along with their addresses and associated port terminals via the R4 (Port or Terminal) segment.

Consider a scenario where Atlantic Logistics, an importer based in Toronto, receives a containerized shipment of machinery from Munich Industrial Supply in Germany arriving at the Port of Halifax. Atlantic Logistics’ customs broker, Premier Trade Services, prepares and transmits an X12 311 message to Canada Border Services Agency. The transmission includes multiple containers detailed in the LX loop, with each container’s contents described through the L5 (Description, Marks and Numbers) segment, along with relevant import license numbers captured in the X2 segment. The L3 (Total Weight and Charges) segment summarizes the shipment’s gross weight and associated fees, enabling CBSA officers to process and clear the shipment efficiently.