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Commercial Carriers
Features
In this section
Publications and forms
D Memoranda
Forms
Carrier and Cargo Policy
A commercial carrier is a person or company who transports commercial goods into Canada and can move goods by air, highway, sea, rail or international mail.
Record Keeping
Commercial carriers must keep books and records related to the movement of commercial goods at their place of business in Canada for three years after the year they transported the goods to Canada. These records must include the following:
- Dispatch logs;
- Bills of lading;
- Proof of customs report and release;
- Invoices; and
- Other records that can include but are not limited to
- charts of accounts,
- trip logs,
- movement history reports,
- commercial invoices,
- paper documents, or
- electronic documents.
Carrier Codes
Features
A carrier code is a four-digit unique identifier that is assigned by the CBSA to a carrier. If you cross the Canadian border with commercial goods more than five times a year, you must have a carrier code.
Overview
The carrier code is combined with a unique shipment number (chosen by the carrier) to create a cargo control number.
The cargo control number is critical because it identifies both the carrier and shipment to the CBSA at the time of reporting and when release documents are presented.
The cargo control number is used in bar-code format. Highway carriers have 30 days after receiving their carrier code to obtain bar-coded labels. After 30 days, an administrative penalty of $1,000 will be imposed on carriers if bar-coded labels are not presented with their shipments upon arrival at the Canadian border.
Changes to existing carrier codes
If your business is moving, you must notify the CBSA as soon as possible. Please indicate the name of your business and your carrier code and your new postal address and telephone number.
If your business is changing its name, you must forward all relevant documentation to the CBSA as soon as possible. Bonded carriers who use bonds as security must forward an original of the bond rider/endorsement provided by the Canadian insurance company or Canadian financial institution to the CBSA. Please indicate your carrier code, the previous name of your business, the business address, a contact name and telephone number.
Types of Carriers
Bonded carriers
A bonded carrier posts security with the CBSA to cover the following situations:
- To move goods to a CBSA office inland (not located at the border) to have the shipment released;
- To move goods "in transit" through Canada. The bonded carrier uses Canada as a corridor, or a shortcut, by starting from a point outside Canada and then transiting through Canada to another point outside Canada (e.g. U.S. → Canada → U.S.). The goods in transit are not released in Canada;
- To apply to the Customs Self Assessment program and/or the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program; or
- To apply to the post-audit program.
Becoming a bonded carrier
- Post security with the CBSA in the form of cash, certified cheque or bond.
- Prepare and/or complete the following:
- Form E370 - Application to Transact Bonded Carrier and Forwarding Operations
- Form D120 - Customs Bond (List of acceptable bonding establishments)
- Mail forms to the CBSA.
After these steps are successfully completed, you will receive your assigned bonded carrier code, instructions and printing requirements.
Note: Bonded highway carriers have 30 days after receiving their carrier code to obtain bar-coded labels. After 30 days, an administrative penalty of $1,000 will be imposed on carriers if bar-coded labels are not presented with their shipments upon arrival at the Canadian border.
Non-bonded carriers
Normally a non-bonded carrier must have the shipment released at the first point of arrival (i.e. the border). However, if the non-bonded carrier cannot obtain release of the shipment at the border and chooses to bring a shipment inland for release at another CBSA office, the carrier must post a single trip authorization bond at the Canadian border or be authorized to use the carrier code of a bonded carrier. Otherwise, the non‑bonded carrier may be issued a penalty.
Becoming a non-bonded carrier
- Complete Form E369 - Application to Transact Non-Bonded Carrier Operations at Point of Arrival in Canada.
- Mail the application to the CBSA.
After these steps are successfully completed, you will receive your assigned carrier code, instructions and printing requirements.
Note: Non-bonded highway carriers have 30 days after receiving their carrier code to obtain bar-coded labels. After 30 days, an administrative penalty of $1,000 will be imposed on carriers if bar-coded labels are not presented with their shipments upon arrival at the Canadian border.
Types of Bonds
Single trip authorization
Applications for a single trip authorization must be filed, in duplicate, at the first point of arrival in Canada using Form E370. Security must also be posted as outlined in Memorandum D1-7-1, Posting Security for Transacting Bonded Operations.
A single trip authorization may be acquired in one of two ways: by posting security with the CBSA using cash or a certified cheque, or by engaging a customs broker who provides this service.
Guidelines and general information
Memorandum D1-7-1outlines specific policies and procedures for posting security for bonded operations. Before you make an application to transact a bonded operation, you should consult the applicable memoranda to clarify application requirements, levels of security, bond format and specific completion instructions.
Bonded Carrier Operations
- Bonded air carriers
- Bonded freight forwarder
- Bonded highway carriers
- Bonded marine carriers
- Bonded rail carriers
Bonded air carriers
The CBSA requirements and procedures for reporting and controlling cargo transported by air.
Form AG1 - General Declaration (Outward/Inward)
[ More information on bonded air carriers ]
Bonded freight forwarder
The CBSA requirements and procedures for the secondary reporting and control of in-bond cargo that is deconsolidated in Canada by deconsolidators or freight forwarders.
[ More information on bonded freight forwarders ]
Bonded highway carriers
The CBSA requirements and procedures for reporting and controlling cargo brought into Canada by highway carriers.
[ More information on bonded highway carriers ]
Bonded marine carriers
The CBSA requirements and administrative policies that apply to the inward movement of marine cargo.
[ More information on bonded marine carriers ]
Bonded rail carriers
The CBSA requirements and procedures for reporting and controlling cargo brought into Canada by rail carriers.
[ More information on bonded rail carriers ]
Other Carrier Operations
- Non-bonded freight forwarders
- Customs Post Audit System
- In-transit movements
- Vessels in international service
- Temporary importation of vessels
Non-bonded freight forwarders
To supply electronic supplementary data for Advance Commercial Information only
Non-bonded freight forwarders only require a code if they plan to transmit cargo data to the CBSA directly or through a service provider. If you are supplying information through a carrier, then a code is not required.
The CBSA will only issue a non-bonded freight forwarder code once you or your service provider has contacted the Electronic Commerce Unit and a testing plan has been approved.
Please complete Form E369-1 - Application to Obtain a Non-Bonded Freight Forwarder Code and send it by fax or by mail to the CBSA.
Customs Post Audit System
Under this system, qualifying companies may transport goods in bond with limited physical control. They may do this on condition that they make records available proving that they disposed of the cargo according to sections 18 and 20 of the Customs Act.
Application forms:
[ More information on the Customs Post Audit System ]
In-transit movements
The two-step customs process for reporting and controlling goods in transit through either Canada or the United States.
[ More information on in-transit movements ]
Vessels in international service
CBSA requirements and procedures for reporting and clearing vessels in international service.
[ More information on vessels in international service ]
Temporary importation of vessels
Laws, policies and procedures governing the temporary importation of vessels into Canada for use in the Canadian coasting trade.
Form C47, Application for Vessel Temporary Admission to the Coasting Trade of Canada (includes guidelines for completing the form)
[ More information on temporary importation of vessels ]
Contact Information
Mail or fax applications or updates to your existing information to the following contact:
Carrier and Cargo Programs Unit
Canada Border Services Agency
150 Isabella Street, 4th Floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0L8
Fax: 613-957-9717
For more information regarding Bonded and Non-bonded carrier codes, contact the Border Information Service line.
