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Air, rail carriers and freight forwarders Highway carriers Marine carriers Profile change and cancellation requests Power of Attorney Changing bonded status Cargo control and bar-coded labels Other carrier operations Record keeping Guidelines for the use of Form BSF673 Publications and forms Contact information Frequently asked questions

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Commercial Carrier and Freight Forwarder Identification and Eligibility
Highway carriers

Non-bonded or bonded

To apply for a carrier code, the first step is to determine if you need a non-bonded or bonded code.

Non-bonded highway carrier

A non-bonded highway 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 highway carrier

Bonded highway carriers are permitted to transport in-bond goods beyond the FPOA in Canada and between points in Canada. They must post financial security in the amount of $5,000 to $25,000 (see Memorandum D3-4-2) with the CBSA to cover the following situations:

  • to move goods to a Canada Border Services Agency (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 and/or the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program.

Becoming a non-bonded highway carrier

The CBSA Guidelines: Highway Carrier Code Application Process will assist you in applying for a highway carrier code, and completing the application form.

To apply to become a non-bonded highway carrier with the CBSA you must:

  1. Register for an account in the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) Client Portal (CCP).
  2. Complete the application in the CCP.
  3. Once you receive your carrier code from the CBSA, you must then apply to transmit Advance Commercial Information (ACI) to the CBSA and undergo the testing process.

Note: Highway carriers have 30 days after receiving their carrier code to obtain bar-coded labels. After the 30-day period, 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. More information can be found at Cargo control and bar-coded labels.

Becoming a bonded highway carrier

The CBSA Guidelines: Highway Carrier Code Application Process will assist you in applying for a highway carrier code, completing the application form and Customs Bond.

To apply to become a bonded highway carrier with the CBSA, you must:

  1. Register for an account in the CCP.
  2. Complete the application in the CCP.
  3. Post security with the CBSA in the form of a Customs Bond or other method as listed in Memorandum D1-7-1.  The required amount can be found in Memorandum D3-4-2.
  4. Once you receive your carrier code from the CBSA, you must then apply to transmit Advance Commercial Information (ACI) to the CBSA and undergo the testing process.

Note: Highway carriers have 30 days after receiving their carrier code to obtain bar-coded labels. After the 30-day period, 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. More information can be found at Cargo control and bar-coded labels.

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 first point of arrival in Canada using form BSF329-7: Application to Transact Highway Operations with the Canada Border Services Agency. Security must also be posted as outlined in Customs Memorandum D1-7-1 Posting Security for Transacting Bonded Operations.

More information can be found at Memorandum D3-4-2, Highway Pre-arrival and Reporting Requirements.

Transmitting advance commercial information

Highway carriers transporting goods into Canada are required to transmit cargo and conveyance data electronically to the CBSA prior to arrival.

For more information, please visit:

Additional information

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