In this section

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

Related links

System outages (electronic data interchange) eManifest portal

Commercial Carrier and Freight Forwarder Identification and Eligibility
Marine carriers

Non-bonded or bonded

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

The CBSA strongly recommends that marine carriers apply for a bonded carrier code, as a bond is required anytime unreleased goods move beyond the first port of arrival (FPOA). This includes scenarios such as emergency stops when the FPOA is changed.

In the marine mode, the FPOA is defined as the first Canadian port that a vessel stops for any reason including but not limited to the loading and or discharging of cargo, anchoring, bunkering, safety inspections, crew changes, diversions, etc.

For Great Lakes traffic, the CBSA has deemed two ports in and out of the Great Lakes as the FPOA whether the vessel stops there or not: Montréal and Port Colborne.

For vessels travelling into and through Canada from off shore and up bound, Montréal will be the FPOA, unless the vessel stops somewhere else in Canada first.

For vessels travelling with U.S. loaded cargo, from the Great Lakes and passing through the Welland Canal, Port Colborne will be the FPOA unless the vessel stopped somewhere else in Canada first.

Non-bonded marine carrier

A non-bonded marine carrier must have all shipments released at the FPOA.

If a non-bonded carrier requires a bond for a single trip they may apply for a single trip authorization.

Bonded marine carrier

In the marine mode, a carrier must post financial security with the CBSA if:

Becoming a non-bonded marine carrier

The CBSA Guidelines: Marine Carrier Code Application Process will assist you in completing your application.

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

  1. Create an account in the CCP.
  2. Complete the application in the CCP.
  3. 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 marine carrier

  1. Create 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.
  4. 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.

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 BSF329-4: Application to Transact Marine 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.

Transmitting advance commercial information

All marine carriers are required to electronically transmit marine cargo and conveyance data to the CBSA within prescribed time frames prior to arrival or prior to loading depending on the type and origin of goods.

Once you receive your carrier code, in order to begin transmitting data electronically to the CBSA, you must:

Additional information

Date modified: