Canadian Carrier Code

A carrier code is a unique four character code used by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to identify marine carriers, regardless of how often they cross the Canadian border with commercial goods.

There are two main types of carrier code, bonded and non-bonded. Carriers issued with a non-bonded carrier code must have freight coming into Canada released at the border or first port of arrival (FPOA), whereas bonded carriers have the option of moving unreleased goods into a bonded warehouse where it sits awaiting release, or to transship the goods through Canada. To apply for a bondedcarrier code the carrier must first post security with the CBSA.

For the purpose of assessing carrier code eligibility, “a carrier is a person involved in international commercial transportation who operates a conveyance used to transport specified goods to or from Canada”.

To operate a conveyance means to have legal custody and control of the conveyance:

(a) To have legal custody means to be:

1) An owner

2) A lessee under a lease or agreement of hire

3) A charterer under an agreement of hire

4) A purchaser under a conditional sale or hire purchase agreement that reserves to the vendor the title to the conveyance until the purchase price is paid or certain conditions are performed, or

5) A mortgagor

(b) Control is defined as the person responsible for the decisions concerning the employment of the conveyance, and therefore the person who decides how and where that conveyance is employed.

(c) It must be the lowest legal entity who has legal custody and control of the conveyance that must obtain and use their carrier code.

(d) Specified goods means commercial goods, goods that are or will be imported to Canada for a fee or empty cargo containers that are not for sale.

Clients who do not meet the criteria outlined above are not eligible to receive or hold a carrier code and these include, but are not limited to:

1) Marine agents.

2) Subsidiaries of foreign companies who represent their shipping lines in Canada.

3) Management companies responsible for the day to day running of a vessel.

4) Vessel owners who do not play a role in the employment of the vessel (e.g. banks).

The CBSA strongly recommends that marine carriers apply for a bonded carrier code, as a bond is required anytime unreleased goods move beyond the FPOA. This includes scenarios such as emergency stops and Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s gypsy moth inspections when the FPOA is changed. Carriers, who do not have bonded status, may be subjected to lengthy delays.

Upon receipt of a properly completed application (including proof of ownership documents if required), Members should expect to receive a new carrier code within 10 business days.

In order to avoid any potential delays when calling at Canadian ports, Members should consider applying for a bonded carrier code well in advance.

The CBSA Customs Notice 14-029 provides clarification on carrier code eligibility. 

A full set of guidelines on the Marine Carrier Code Application process have been produced by the CBSA and this can be accessed www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/serv