Canaan Transport Group Inc.

"With a quick and systematic integration process, we were able to deploy CrimsonLogic's solution efficiently, as well as transfer information effectively, through a streamlined management process. We enjoyed tangible savings, with 50 percent savings in time spent on labour-intensive and manual tasks."

Mr Perry Lo,
President, Canaan Transport Group Inc.

Summary

Client:
Canaan Transport Group Inc.

Challenge:
To speed up the process of customs approval for import shipments with an end-to-end solution that provides real-time visibility and 24/7 access via the web. ACROSS/CADEX enables the transmission of release and invoice data in electronic format to Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA).

Solutions:
ACI Ocean and Air enables the transmission of pre-arrival cargo and conveyance data to CBSA while RNS (Release Notification System) gives Canaan Transport real-time visibility of cargo release by any customs broker, releasing cargo to Canaan Transport warehouses efficiently.

Benefits:

Information can be submitted electronically with immediate confirmation for shipments entering Canada. The solution eliminated the physical movement of documents, and reduced waiting time and labour costs.

Background

Canaan Transport Group Inc. provides an integrated transportation solution for clients who need freight forwarding, supply chain management, logistics, and import or export cargo services. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Canaan Transport offers services that enable customers to move their cargo from the place of origin to their destination efficiently and effectively. It also handles transport needs to and from Asia, Europe, South America, North America and other regions.

Prior to working with CrimsonLogic, the submission of import and export information was a time-intensive, laborious and manual process for Canaan Transport. Copious amounts of paper work had to be completed and a Canaan Transport employee had to spend time travelling to Customs to submit import information manually in order to attain clearance for shipments.

Canaan Transport needed a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that is quick to launch, cost-effective and intuitive to use. To help achieve the aim of going paperless, CrimsonLogic implemented a hosted web-based solution, comprising ACROSS/CADEX, Advance Commercial Information (ACI) Ocean and Air, and Release Notification System (RNS), which enables Canaan Transport to access information 24/7 via the web, enabling customers to closely monitor every aspect of the customs process.

Canaan Transport has worked with CrimsonLogic since 2006.

Solutions

The solutions – ACROSS/CADEX, Advance Commercial Information (ACI) Ocean and Air, and Release Notification System (RNS) – were implemented to provide real-time visibility of cargo releases by customs brokers so that Canaan Transport has immediate access to information on movement of their cargo in and out of their warehouses.

The solutions also leverage on CrimsonLogic's direct connection to Canada Customs with built-in redundancy, using CrimsonLogic's back up secure and encrypted connection to Canada Customs. The system also enables them to login to view from home, give overseas offices access rights to login, and view or complete manifests.

• ACROSS/ CADEX
  This solution simplifies the customs management process by providing a direct link to the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) for the release and clearance of imports and Other Government Department (OGD) shipments, including Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) and Transport Canada. Declarations to CBSA and other controlling agencies can be submitted through any Internet terminal, and responses to cargo clearance can be received within minutes.
• Advance Commercial Information (ACI) Ocean and Air
  As introduced by the CBSA, it is an important part of the Customs Action Plan to help manage risks by identifying health, safety and security threats at the border. ACI requires key data from shipments to be transmitted electronically prior to arrival in Canada. Monetary penalties can be assessed against companies that fail to comply with the ACI advance reporting timeframes.
  • Ocean (Marine)
    ACI requires all marine carriers to electronically transmit marine cargo data to the CBSA 24 hours prior to loading at a foreign port. If the voyage is less than 24 hours, the cargo and conveyance day must be reported at the time of the departure from the foreign port.
  • Air Cargo
    ACI requires all air carriers and freight forwarders to electronically transmit conveyance, cargo and supplementary cargo data to the CBSA four hours prior to arrival in Canada. If the flight is less than four hours, the data has to be reported at the time of departure from the foreign airport. It enables a full range of CBSA mandatory requirements and has a Supplementary Cargo Report (SCR) feature for shipments consigned to freight forwarders.
• Status QueryRelease Notification System (RNS)
  An automated application that notifies carriers/importers or warehouse operators of Canadian Customs' release of PARS (Pre-Arrival Review System) alerts, RNS can be used to update systems, schedule deliveries and/or initiate the preparation of accounting data. Carriers can also electronically inform other affected parties by the release, ensuring timely delivery of shipments. The RNS messages include current release status for shipments crossing the border, as well as information such as the broker's entry numbers, cargo control number, date and time of release updates, customs office number and other applicable information. The date and time of each message are stamped by CBSA.

Benefits

Since implementing the solutions in 2006, Canaan Transport has been enjoying the following benefits: