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Commercial Carrier and Freight Forwarder Identification and Eligibility
Air, rail carriers and freight forwarders
Non-bonded or bonded
To apply for a carrier or freight forwarder code, the first step is to determine if you need a non-bonded or bonded code. Carriers and freight forwarders can apply for both bonded and non-bonded carrier codes via the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) Client Portal (CCP).
Non-bonded air or rail carrier
A non-bonded carrier must have all shipments released at the first port of arrival (FPOA) in Canada. If a non-bonded carrier requires a bond for a single trip they may apply for a single trip authorization.
Bonded air or rail carrier
Bonded carriers are permitted to transport in-bond goods beyond the FPOA in Canada and between points in Canada. They must post financial security with the CBSA to cover the following situations:
- to move goods to a CBSA office or sufferance warehouse inland (not located at the border) to have the shipment released; or
- 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. to Canada to U.S.). The goods in transit are not released in Canada; or
- to apply to the Customs Self Assessment program.
Non-bonded freight forwarder
A non-bonded freight forwarder code is necessary for freight forwarders who plan to transmit Advance Commercial Information (ACI) supplementary cargo reports to the CBSA directly or through a service provider. If you are supplying cargo information through a carrier, then a code is not required.
Bonded freight forwarder
In addition to providing secondary cargo reports to the CBSA, a bonded freight forwarder may transport in-bond goods from point to point within Canada, including between sufferance warehouses. No international movement or transportation of goods is allowed under a bonded freight forwarder code.
Becoming a non-bonded air or rail carrier or freight forwarder
To apply to become a non-bonded air or rail carrier or freight forwarder with the CBSA, you must:
- Create an account in the CCP.
- Complete the application in the CCP.
- Once you receive your carrier or freight forwarder code from the CBSA, you must then apply to transmit Advance Commercial Information (ACI) to the CBSA and undergo the testing process.
Becoming a bonded air or rail carrier or freight forwarder
To apply to obtain a bonded air or rail carrier code or freight forwarder with the CBSA, you must:
- Create an account in the CCP.
- Complete the application in the CCP.
- Post security with the CBSA via the CCP in the form of a Customs Bond or other method as listed in Customs Memorandum D1-7-1, Posting Security for Transacting Bonded Operations.
- Once you receive your carrier or freight forwarder code from the CBSA, you must then apply to transmit ACI to the CBSA and undergo the testing process. Once registered, the application must be submitted via the CCP.
Customs bond
Business number – Both Canadian and foreign companies must provide a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) assigned 15-digit identifier prior to submitting a bond.
The following should be considered in reviewing your Customs Bond prior to submitting your application to the CBSA.
- Activity to be secured:
- Air carriers: Bonded air carrier operations
- Freight Forwarders: Bonded freight forwarder operations
- Rail Carriers: Bonded rail carrier operations
- Relevant legislative authority: Transportation of goods regulations
- Bond amount: This depends on what type of bonded operation is being applied for as well as the assets in the applicant's possession and the type of movement performed. Amount requirements may be:
- To perform bonded carrier operations, the Customs Bond must be a continuous bond or a bond for a specified period.
- If a bond for a specified period is submitted, the bonded carrier code will expire upon the date of termination of the Customs Bond. A continuous bond remains in effect until a Notice of Cancellation is received.
Single trip authorization
If a non-bonded carrier requires a bond for a single trip they may apply for a single trip authorization. For example, if a non-bonded carrier cannot obtain release of the shipment at the FPOA and chooses to bring a shipment inland for release at another CBSA office, the carrier must post a single trip authorization bond at the FPOA.
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.
Applications for a single trip authorization must be filed, in duplicate, at the FPOA in Canada using form BSF329-1, BSF329-5, or BSF329-9. Security must also be posted as outlined in Customs Memorandum D1-7-1, Posting Security for Transacting Bonded Operations.
Transmitting advance commercial information
- Air carriers
- Air carriers are required to electronically transmit air cargo and conveyance data to the CBSA four hours prior to arrival in Canada or at time of departure if the flight is less than four hours in duration.
- Rail carriers
- Rail carriers transporting goods into Canada are required to transmit cargo and conveyance data electronically to the CBSA prior to arrival. The cargo and conveyance data must be received and validated by the CBSA a minimum of two hours before the conveyance arrives at the border.
- Air and rail carriers
- Once you receive your carrier code, in order to begin transmitting data electronically to the CBSA, you must:
- Apply to transmit ACI by completing and submitting form Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Application for Advance Commercial Information (ACI).
- Undergo a testing phase with the CBSA.
- See Commercial reporting requirements for more information.
- Once you receive your carrier code, in order to begin transmitting data electronically to the CBSA, you must:
- Freight forwarders
- Freight forwarders are required to transmit advance house bill data electronically to the CBSA. The data must be received and validated by the CBSA prior to arrival, within the prescribed mode-specific time frames.
- In addition to the EDI option, freight forwarders can choose to use the eManifest Portal. To transmit using the eManifest Portal, freight forwarders must obtain a shared secret code.
Additional information
- Contact information
- CBSA D Memoranda:
- Memorandum D3-1-1, Policy Respecting the Importation and Transportation of Goods
- Memorandum D3-2-1, Air Pre-arrival and Reporting Requirements
- Memorandum D3-6-6, Rail Pre-arrival and Reporting Requirements
- Memorandum D3-3-1, Freight Forwarder Pre-arrival and Reporting Requirements
- Memorandum D1-7-1, Posting Security for Transacting Bonded Operations
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