Carriers planning to use Canada’s Arctic Shipping Electronic Commercial Clearance pilot program for the 2026/27 season have until May 15, 2026, to submit their Part 1 application.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has published Customs Notice 26-12, which outlines requirements for the Arctic Shipping Electronic Commercial Clearance (ASECC) pilot program for the season running July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
The ASECC program simplifies customs clearance in Canada's Arctic, where remote conditions and limited infrastructure present logistical challenges.
It allows pre-approved carriers and vessels to report and clear conveyance, crew, and cargo electronically, rather than using a designated Commercial Vessel (C/VESS) port to meet CBSA reporting requirements.
All carriers seeking processing through the ASECC pilot program must submit their pre-arrival data and arrival message via ACI.
What changed from last year
The updated guidance includes the following changes:
- The application deadline is now May 15, versus the April 30 deadline in 2025.
- CBSA now strongly recommends that carriers seeking an exception to transport containerized cargo submit their intention at least three weeks before departure from the foreign port.
- CBSA now states more explicitly that any crew list changes must be submitted at least 48 hours before departure.
What hasn’t changed
The two-part approval structure remains unchanged, with the ASECC program requiring carriers to complete two parts of the approval process, once per season (Part 1) and once per individual voyage (Part 2).
Without Part 2 approval for an individual voyage, vessels are required to report to a designated C/VESS port.
Carriers must notify the CBSA of any subsequent changes to vessel ownership or the addition or removal of vessels from their application.
For vessels carrying goods subject to Other Government Department (OGD) requirements, release request documentation must also be submitted to the reporting region seven days before departure. If the CBSA determines that those goods require examination, the vessel will be directed to a C/VESS port.
Consolidated shipments remain prohibited from the ASECC program and must report to the nearest designated C/VESS port, and carriers may request an exception to transport containerized cargo on a voyage-by-voyage basis.
Comment nous pouvons vous aider
At Cole International, we offer trade consulting and freight forwarding services to help Canadian businesses navigate changing regulations and simplify their shipping processes.
Reach out to one of our trade professionals for more information on Arctic shipping and how to meet documentation requirements.
