What Is a B13A Form? (And Why It No Longer Exists)

If you have been asked to provide a B13A form for a Canadian export shipment, the short answer is: the B13A no longer exists as a filing method. It was replaced by the Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS) and is not accepted by CBSA. This article explains what the B13A was, what replaced it, and what Canadian exporters must do today.

What Was the B13A Export Declaration?

The B13A was Canada's paper-based export declaration form, administered by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). It was used to report commercial goods leaving Canada — recording what was being exported, where it was going, its value, and who was sending it.

The B13A is no longer in use and is not accepted by CBSA. Presenting or referencing a B13A paper form today does not satisfy Canada's export reporting obligations. The mandatory replacement is the Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS) — an electronic filing system operated by CBSA.

What Replaced the B13A? CERS.

CERS (Canadian Export Reporting System) is the electronic system that replaced the B13A. All Canadian export declarations must now be filed through CERS. There is no paper alternative, and the B13A form is no longer valid.

The transition happened in stages:

• B13A (paper form): the original export declaration — now discontinued and not accepted
• CAED (Canadian Automated Export Declaration): the first electronic replacement for the paper B13A — also discontinued
• CERS (Canadian Export Reporting System): the current mandatory system, launched by CBSA in 2021 — the only accepted method today

When people refer to a "B13A" today, they typically mean the underlying export declaration obligation — not the paper form itself. That obligation is now fulfilled exclusively through CERS. If a carrier, freight forwarder, or counterparty asks for a "B13A," what they actually need is your CERS transaction number.

A & A's CERS reporting and export compliance services handle this filing on your behalf.

When Is a CERS Export Declaration Required?

A CERS filing is required when you export commercial goods valued at CAD $2,000 or more to any country other than the United States.

The two main triggers are:

• Value threshold: goods valued at CAD $2,000 or more destined outside Canada (excluding the US)
• Controlled goods: certain categories require a CERS filing regardless of value, including goods on Canada's Export Control List

Exports to the US — No Declaration Required

Exports from Canada to the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, do not require a CERS export declaration, regardless of shipment value. This is an explicit CBSA exemption.

This is one of the most common sources of confusion for Canadian exporters. The US has its own export reporting requirement (Electronic Export Information, or EEI), but that is a US obligation, not a Canadian one.

Controlled and Regulated Goods

Certain categories of goods require a CERS filing regardless of value or destination:

• Military and defence equipment
• Firearms and components
• Dual-use technology and telecommunications equipment
• Goods listed on Canada's Export Control List (ECL)
• Endangered species or products covered under CITES

For these categories, an export permit is required alongside the CERS declaration, and the permit number must be included in the filing.

Who Is Exempt from the CERS Filing Requirement?

Many shipments are exempt. The most common exemptions are:

• All goods going to the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
• Goods valued under CAD $2,000 (and not controlled)
• Diplomatic and consular shipments
• Goods temporarily exported for repair and returning to Canada
• Personal and household effects of Canadian residents relocating abroad (with conditions)
• Canadian federal government shipments

Even if your shipment falls into an exempt category, your carrier may still request export documentation for their own compliance purposes. When there is any uncertainty, a licensed Canadian customs broker can confirm the obligation before the shipment moves.

What Information Does a CERS Filing Require?

A CERS filing requires accurate details about the exporter, the goods, and the shipment. CBSA cross-references this data against your commercial invoice, and discrepancies can trigger a hold or penalty.

Required fields include:

• Exporter name, address, and Business Number (BN)
• Consignee name and destination country
• Description of goods
• Harmonized System (HS) tariff classification code
• Country of origin
• Value of goods in Canadian dollars
• Final destination country
• Mode of transport
• Export permit number (if applicable)

The HS code requirement catches many exporters off-guard. If you are unsure of the correct tariff code for your goods, tariff classification is something a customs broker handles routinely.

How to File an Export Declaration Through CERS

All export declarations are submitted electronically through the CERS portal, and they must be filed before goods are released for export — not after they cross the border. There is no option to file on paper.

You can file directly through CERS using your CBSA Business Number, or appoint a licensed customs broker or freight forwarder to file on your behalf.

A & A Customs Brokers handles CERS filing as part of our CERS reporting and export compliance services, ensuring accurate, timely submissions so your shipments move without delays.

Filing Through CERS: Step by Step

If you are filing directly, the process follows these steps:

1. Log in to the CERS portal on the CBSA website using your Business Number
2. Enter shipper and exporter details
3. Input goods information: description, HS code, value, and destination country
4. Include your export permit number if one applies
5. Submit and record your transaction number
6. Provide the transaction number to your carrier before departure

The submission must be completed before the goods depart Canada. Filing after the fact does not satisfy the requirement.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failing to file a required CERS export declaration carries real consequences. CBSA issues Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) starting at $600 per violation. Repeated violations or deliberate misrepresentation attract significantly higher fines.

CBSA also has the authority to seize goods or refuse to release a shipment if the declaration is missing or contains material errors.

If you have discovered a past filing error or a missed declaration, CBSA's voluntary disclosure program lets you come forward proactively. Voluntary disclosures generally result in reduced penalties compared to those issued when CBSA identifies the error on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a B13A Canada export declaration?

The B13A was Canada's paper-based export declaration form, administered by CBSA. It is no longer in use and is not accepted. The B13A has been replaced by the Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS), which is the only accepted method for filing Canadian export declarations today. When someone refers to a "B13A," they mean the underlying export declaration obligation — which must now be fulfilled through CERS.

Is the B13A form still accepted?

No. The B13A paper form is discontinued and not accepted by CBSA. The mandatory replacement is CERS (Canadian Export Reporting System). If you are asked to provide a "B13A" by a carrier or freight forwarder, provide your CERS transaction number instead — that is the current equivalent.

Do you need a B13A to ship from Canada to the US?

No. Exports from Canada to the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, are exempt from Canadian export declaration requirements regardless of shipment value. This exemption applies under the current CERS system just as it did under the old B13A rules.

How do I get a Canada export declaration today?

Export declarations are now filed electronically through CBSA's Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS). You can file using your own CBSA Business Number and login, or have a licensed customs broker file on your behalf. The paper B13A form no longer exists — CERS is the only accepted filing method.

Filing Your Export Declaration the Right Way

The B13A paper form is gone. If your business exports commercial goods valued at CAD $2,000 or more outside the US, you have a legal obligation to file through CERS before each shipment departs. The rules around exemptions, permit requirements, and timing are the same as they were under the B13A — the difference is that paper filing is no longer an option.

If you want to confirm whether your shipments require a CERS filing, or want to take export compliance off your plate entirely, A & A's export team can help. Review our export compliance services or speak with an export specialist to get started.