Get a CBSA-issued marine carrier code

Non-bonded or bonded

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

Note: 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 the port of entry in Canada where a commercial conveyance (a marine vessel carrying commercial cargo) first arrives from a foreign country.

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.

Montréal

Unless the vessel stops first at another Canadian port of entry designated for commercial vessels, Montréal will be the FPOA for vessels with foreign loaded cargo travelling from offshore into and westbound through Canada.

Port Colborne

Unless the vessel stops first at another Canadian port of entry designated for commercial vessels, Port Colborne will be the FPOA for vessels travelling from the Great Lakes and passing through the Welland Canal.

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:

• unreleased goods are moving past the FPOA, or
• in bond freight transfer:
  • where freight is forwarded in bond from a Canadian seaport(s) overland to a Canadian destination(s) for clearance or exportation without re-manifesting to a forwarding rail or highway carrier

How to enrol for a bonded or non-bonded carrier code

Consult How to enrol to learn how to register your business in the CARM Client Portal and enrol for a bonded or non-bonded carrier code.

Non-bonded carrier code: Consult the CBSA Guidelines: Marine Carrier Code Application Process for additional information specific to non-bonded carriers.

After you enrol and get your carrier code, you must then apply to transmit advance commercial information (ACI).

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 Memorandum D1-7-1: Posting Security for Transacting Bonded Operations

Transmitting advance commercial information

All marine carriers (or an authorized third-party service provider acting on the carrier's behalf) must prepare and transmit the required cargo, supplementary/house bill cargo (if applicable) and conveyance information within the timeframes specified in the Reporting of Imported Goods Regulations.

Once you have a carrier code, to begin transmitting data electronically to the CBSA, you must:

• complete the form: Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Application for Advance Commercial Information (ACI)
• undergo a testing phase with the CBSA

Contact us

Questions related to carrier code applications: CARM client service and helpdesk

Other carrier code program questions: carrier-cargo@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

All other inquiries: Contact border information services

Related links

• Get a CBSA-issued carrier code
• Other carrier operations
• Cargo control and barcode labels
• CBSA D memoranda:
  • Memorandum D3-1-1: Policy Respecting the Importation and Transportation of Goods
  • Memorandum D3-5-1: Marine Pre-load/Pre-arrival and Reporting Requirements
  • Memorandum D1-7-1: Posting Security for Transacting Bonded Operations
• Scheduled outages: EDI and select portals
• Sign in to the eManifest portal