Get a CBSA-issued carrier code
Get ready to enrol

Find out what you need to know before enrolling for a carrier code. Determine whether you need a non-bonded or bonded carrier code.

On this page

• What you need to do before you enrol
• Non-bonded carriers and freight forwarders
• Bonded carriers and freight forwarders
• Financial security requirements for bonded carriers and freight forwarders
• Single trip authorizations for non-bonded carriers and freight forwarders

What you need to do before you enrol

1. Get a shared secret code
2. Register in CARM, which requires:
   1. a business number (BN9)
   2. an RM account
   3. a statement of account or a daily notice
3. Decide to be a bonded or non-bonded carrier or freight forwarder
4. Get and submit financial security (if you are bonded)
5. Learn about single trip authorizations (if you are not bonded)

Non-bonded carriers and freight forwarders

A non-bonded carrier must have all shipments released at the first point of arrival in Canada. If a single trip is needed beyond that, they may apply for a single trip authorization.

A non-bonded freight forwarder may not transmit consolidated house bills. As a result, they cannot move unreleased goods beyond the first point of arrival. A non-bonded freight forwarder transmits supplementary cargo report data directly to the CBSA or through a service provider, rather than through a carrier.

Bonded carriers and freight forwarders

Bonded freight forwarders may:

• direct cargo to an inland location, even if the primary cargo document ends at the first point of arrival
• remanifest cargo (replace a previously submitted cargo control document with a new cargo control number) to a different destination within Canada

Bonded carriers and freight forwarders must post financial security with the CBSA so that they may transport in-bond goods beyond the first point of arrival. This includes:

• transiting through Canada (that is, using Canada as a corridor – for example, US to Canada to US)
• moving goods inland to a CBSA office or sufferance warehouse

You must be bonded to:

• apply to the Customs Self Assessment Program
• apply to the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Program
• participate in the Marine Overland Movement Program

Financial security requirements for bonded carriers and freight forwarders

A bonded carrier can transport in-bond goods and must post financial security with the CBSA. In-bond goods are goods permitted to move beyond the first point of arrival and between points in Canada under customs control.

All amounts are in Canadian currency:

• Highway: $5,000 per vehicle up to a maximum of $25,000
• Marine: $25,000
• Freight forwarder: $25,000
• Rail: $80,000
• Air: $10,000 to $80,000

Financial security requirements for bonded all-cargo aircraft carriers

"All-cargo aircraft" means an aircraft that is equipped to carry goods only, not passengers.

The CBSA calculates the financial security needed for all-cargo aircraft according to its certified maximum weight at take-off (that is, the maximum amount the aircraft is certified to carry).

Small or medium aircraft

Maximum weight: 75,000 kg (kilograms) or less

Per aircraft minimum financial security: $10,000

Per fleet maximum financial security: $80,000

Large aircraft

Maximum weight: 75,000 kg or more

Per aircraft minimum financial security: $20,000

Per fleet maximum financial security: $80,000

Note A "fleet" consists of all aircraft owned, operated, or registered to the company, organization, or division indicated on the bond. A fleet is not determined by the number of units intended to be used in the provision of the international service being offered.

Single trip authorizations for non-bonded carriers and freight forwarders

If you are a non-bonded carrier or freight forwarder, you can apply for a one-time bond for your goods (called a "bonded transaction"). This will allow you to transport the goods beyond the first point of arrival.

The financial security for a single trip authorization must be paid when you apply.

How to apply for a single trip authorization

Select the appropriate form below. Complete it and submit in duplicate at the first point of arrival.

• Air carriers: BSF329-1 – Application to Transact Air Operations with the Canada Border Services Agency
• Freight forwarders: BSF329-9 – Application to Transact Freight Forwarder Operations with the Canada Border Services Agency
• Highway carriers: BSF329-7 – Application to Transact Highway Operations with the Canada Border Services Agency
• Marine carriers: BSF329-4 – Application to Transact Marine Operations with the Canada Border Services Agency
• Rail carriers: BSF329-5 – Application to Transact Rail Operations with the Canada Border Services Agency

How to pay for a single trip authorization

You can pay (or post) your financial security electronically or by using a non-electronic form of financial security.

Electronic payment

A written financial agreement can be obtained from an accepted security provider.

Importers can submit a written financial security agreement via the CARM Client Portal. The security provider must then validate the transaction.

Alternatively, the security provider can transmit the written security agreement via API.

Non-electronic payment

Accepted non-electronic forms of financial security include:

• certified cheques or money orders
• security agreements in paper format issued by an accepted security provider