When should I use CSA as Cargo Type?

When should I use CSA as Cargo Type?

CSA, or Customs Self Assessment, is a Canadian cargo classification for goods to clear through the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). It allows the clearance of goods imported by a CSA-approved importer and transported by a CSA-approved carrier.

For a shipment to be cleared under CSA, both the importer and the carrier must be CSA-approved, and the driver must be registered with either the Commercial Driver Registration Program (CDRP) or the Free And Secure Trade (FAST) program.

To qualify as a CSA shipment, the goods must be shipped directly from the United States or Mexico and must not require any permits, licenses, or similar documents at the time of reporting. This means the goods cannot be subject to regulations from other government departments, such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The importer is responsible for informing the carrier of shipments eligible for CSA clearance.