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Commercial Carriers
Features
Types of Carriers and Freight Forwarders
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.
Non-bonded freight forwarders
To supply electronic supplementary data for Advance Commercial Information only
Non-bonded freight forwarders only require a carrier 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.
Becoming a non-bonded carrier or non-bonded freight forwarder
1. Complete one of the following application forms:
- “NEW” Marine Carrier Application Form: Application to Transact Marine Operations with the Canada Border Services Agency
- Highway Carrier Application form: BSF329-7 (PDF, 90 KB) Application to Transact Highway Operations with the Canada Border Services Agency
- Air or Rail Carrier (non-bonded) Application Form: E369 (PDF 43 KB) Application to Transact Non-Bonded Carrier Operations at Point of Arrival in Canada
- Freight Forwarder (non-bonded) Application form BSF329-9 (PDF, 80 KB) Application to Obtain a Non-Bonded Freight Forwarder Code (to Supply Electronic Supplementary Data for Advance Commercial Information (ACI) Only
2. For all types of applications, please ensure the following to expedite processing:
- Include proof of client ownership for your business. Documentation may include articles of incorporation, business registration documents, or any documents notarized by the company’s respective province or state. If the company is a sole proprietorship, a photocopy of government issued photo identification must be provided.
Note: If the documents mentioned above are not in English or French, they must be translated into English or French by a certified translator and both copies submitted to the CBSA. - Complete Field 14, "Shared Secret Access Code Request". A Shared Secret is a temporary access code that a business will require to register for the eManifest Portal the first time. The eManifest Portal is an option developed by the CBSA that allows the trade community to electronically transmit their pre-arrival information through the Internet. The Shared Secret will be issued to businesses that request access to the Portal and have a valid CBSA-issued carrier code. Only the CBSA and the authorized representative of the company have access to this information. Upon successful completion of the application process, Shared Secrets will be mailed to the company’s authorized representative, independent of any carrier code documentation. For more information about eManifest and data transmission options, please visit the eManifest section.
- Confirm that an authorized officer representing the company has signed the application. An authorized officer must have legal signing authority and can include: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), President, Vice-President, Owner, Partner or Director. In the case of a sole proprietorship, only the owner may sign.
3. Submit scanned documents to the CBSA.
Bonded carriers and freight forwarders
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.
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 (PDF, 148 KB). 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.
Memorandum D1-7-1 Posting Security for Transacting Bonded Operations outlines 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.
Becoming a bonded carrier or bonded freight forwarder
“NEW” Marine Carrier Application Form: Application to Transact Marine Operations with the Canada Border Services Agency
Highway Carrier Application form: BSF329-7 (PDF, 90 KB) Application to Transact Highway Operations with the Canada Border Services Agency
Other modes of transport:
- Prepare and/or complete Form E370 (PDF, 148 KB) – Application to Transact Bonded Carrier and Forwarding Operations.
- This form must be signed by an authorized officer of the company who has legal signing authority. Acceptable signatories include: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), President, Vice President, Owner, Partner or Director. In the case of a sole proprietorship, only the owner may sign.
- Include proof of client ownership for your business. Documentation may include articles of incorporation, business registration documents, or any documents notarized by the company’s respective province or state. If the company is a sole proprietorship, a photocopy of government issued photo identification must be provided.
- Note: If the documents mentioned above are not in English or French, they must be translated into English or French by a certified translator and both copies submitted to the CBSA.
- Post security with the CBSA in the form of a Customs Bond – Form D120 (PDF, 297 KB) – or other method as listed in Customs Memorandum D1-7-1.
- Mail the original documents to the CBSA.
After these steps are successfully completed, should your company meet the established criteria, you will receive your assigned bonded carrier code or bonded freight forwarder code, instructions on how to obtain bar-coded labels and printing requirements for the labels.
Customs Bond Instructions
To apply for a bonded carrier or freight forwarder identifier code, carriers, freight forwarders or brokers/agents must complete and submit an Application to Transact Bonded Carrier and Forwarding Operations, Form E370. This application form must be accompanied by the appropriate amount of security.
For more information please see Memorandum D3-1-1, Policy Respecting the Importation and Transportation of Goods,as well as the following CBSA requirements and procedures for reporting and controlling of cargo:
For a Customs Bond, Form D120 (PDF, 297 KB) must be completed by the surety company securing the bond. The surety company must fall under one of the following categories:
- A company that is approved by the Treasury Board Secretariat (as found in Appendix L of the Contracting Policy)
- A member of the Canadian Payments Association
For the Customs Bond to be accepted by the CBSA, the original must be submitted and must be free of errors. The following step-by-step instructions should be used to review your Customs Bond prior to submission to the CBSA.
Section 1: "Activity to be secured" must specifically contain the mode-specific wording for the mode of transport the company is applying for:
- Highway Carriers: Bonded Carrier Operations (Highway)
- Air Carriers: Bonded Air Carrier Operations
- Freight Forwarders: Bonded Freight Forwarder Operations
- Marine Carriers: Bonded Marine Carrier Operations
- Rail Carriers: Bonded Rail Carrier Operations
Under "Relevant legislative authority" you must list one of the legislative authorities listed in Section 2. For any of the above noted activities to be secured, you must enter: "Transportation of goods regulations".
"Bond amount" 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 found in the following table:
| Mode | Amount | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Highway | $5,000 to $25,000 | D3-4-2 (paragraph 1) |
| Air | $10,000 to $80,000 | D3-2-2 (paragraphs 7-9, 126, Appendix D) |
| Freight Forwarder | $25,000 | D3-3-1 (paragraph 9) |
| Marine | $25,000 | D3-5-2 (paragraph 72) |
| Rail | $80,000 | D3-6-6 (paragraph 1) |
| In-transit | $25,000 | D3-4-5 (paragraph 2) |
Section 3: To perform bonded carrier operations, the Customs Bond must be a continuous bond or a bond for a specified period. If a continuous bond is chosen, when the CBSA receives it, the effective date should be no older than six months. If the effective date displayed is older than six months from the date of receipt by the CBSA, the applicant must submit an original continuation certificate issued by the surety company along with the bond to substantiate its validity. If a bond for a specified period is submitted, the bonded carrier code will expire upon the date of termination of the Customs Bond.
Section 4: Must be worded as follows: All Customs Offices in Canada
Section 7 (for principal/applicant): Must contain the appropriate company name, address and signatures as found on the company’s articles of incorporation (if applicable). Two company officials, consisting of the president and the secretary (or secretary-treasurer) must sign for the principal (applicant). If the president officially assumes both functions for the corporation, he/she must sign twice identifying him/herself as such. Other authorized company officials may sign the Customs Bond provided that a certified copy of the by-laws is provided, authorizing other officers to sign on behalf of the company.
When the principal is a sole proprietorship or partnership, the CBSA requires the signature(s) of the proprietor or of two partners on the surety bond.
Section 7 must contain the embossed seal of the principal (applicant). If the principal does not have a corporate seal, the Customs Bond must be witnessed by either a commissioner of oath, notary public or a lawyer in Section #8. The witness must include his or her seal, or stamp, or licence number.
Section 7 (surety): The surety company issuing the bond is required to sign and seal under the appropriate section. Surety company signatures and/or seals should be complete upon receipt of the bond from the surety company by the principal. If the surety company does not include its corporate seal, a commissioner of oath, notary public or lawyer must witness the signature(s) of the surety’s authorized representative(s).
If a witness for the surety is required, the witness must sign in an area other than in Section 8 reserved for the principal. The witness must include his or her seal, or stamp, or licence number.
The original bond must be submitted along with the original application. Photocopies are not accepted.
Note: Bonded 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.
- Bonded air carriers
- Form AG1 (PDF, 45 KB), General Declaration (Outward/Inward)
- Memorandum D3-2-2, Air Cargo – Import and In-Transit Movements
- Bonded freight forwarders (secondary reporting and control of in-bond cargo that is deconsolidated in Canada by deconsolidators or freight forwarders.
- Memorandum D3-3-1, Forwarded and Consolidated Cargo – Import Movements
- Bonded highway carriers
- Memorandum D-3-4-2, Highway Cargo – Import Movements
- Bonded marine carriers
- Memorandum D3-5-2, Marine Cargo – Import Movements
- Bonded rail carriers
- Memorandum D3-6-6, Rail Cargo – Import Movements
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