Canadian Carrier Code *Update*

The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) Advance Commercial Information (ACI) program, which has been in place since 2004, requires all marine carriers 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.

The CBSA has recently launched an electronic messaging function for marine carrier operators transporting the goods, or their authorised service providers, to transmit a Conveyance Arrival Certification message to the CBSA using an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) method.

Carriers and authorised service providers must register with the CBSA’s Electronic Commerce Unit (ECU)to have their profile created or updated for the new message and notification transactions.

Detailed information on transmitting a Conveyance Arrival Certification message is available in the Data Requirements section of the Advance Commercial Information – Marine Mode page of the CBSA Web site.

Marine carriers should refer to the ACI – Marine mode section of the CBSA Web site for more information.

12 July 2004 

Canada put into place on 19 April 2004, the “24 hour rule” which requires carriers and freight forwarders to electronically report cargo and Advance Commercial Information (ACI), the so-called ACI data prior to arrival of the cargo and the vessel in Canada. The reporting is to enable the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to identify goods of an unknown or high risk. The ACI is similar to the US’s Automated Manifest System (AMS). Both of these initiatives were developed in conjunction. 

Who Must Report 

Under the ACI initiative the ultimate responsibility for reporting falls on “marine carriers”. The identity of the marine carrier for the purposes of ACI depends on the type of data that is to be reported. Data pertaining to the cargo board the vessel must be transmitted by the carrier that generates the ocean bill of lading or the contract of carriage. Vessel information, on the other hand, must be transmitted by the entity responsible for operating the vessel, which could include the registered owner or the time charterer. In practice, the vessel’s agent will most likely transmit the cargo and conveyance data directly to the CBSA. 

Carrier Codes 

In order to transmit the data, each carrier will need a “carrier code” which will identify the carrier in question. Carrier code applications are available from the CBSA website http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/carrier-transporteur/menu-eng.html. The completed application can be faxed to the CBSA (fax number 613-957-9717), following which a carrier code will be faxed back within 2 working days, according to government officials. Freight forwarders, who may not wish to divulge information to carriers or their agents, may apply for their own “carrier code” and may electronically transmit this information directly to the CBSA.

The CBSA’s website provides details on how the information can be transmitted. It should be noted that the CBSA will allow third party service providers to transmit the required information on behalf of the carrier for a fee. A list of companies who have expressed an interest in becoming software/service providers for Advance Commercial Information (ACI), is available by contacting the Electronic Commerce Unit of the CBSA. Their telephone number is 888-957-7224. 
Carriers must submit a completed application and Memorandum of Understanding between it and the service provider, before the CBSA will allow a third party to submit information on behalf of a carrier. In lieu of this documentation, the CBSA will accept a CBSA approved form that details the carrier’s business information including contact and address information, carrier or freight forwarder code, and method of EDI transmission.

Carrier Bonds 

Marine carriers that wish to forward cargo in bond from a Canadian seaport overland to a Canadian destination must post security in the amount of C$25,000 and complete Form E 370, Application to Transact Bonded Carrier and Forwarding Operations.

There are two different types of carrier codes, bonded and non-bonded which can be found here:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/menu-eng.html

Security can be posted on a single trip or on a general authorization basis. The CBSA recommends that carriers transporting more than five shipments to Canada annually apply for general authorization in order to expedite Canadian customs formalities. 

The bond itself may be obtained from a CBSA-approved bonding establishment. The CBSA website provides a list of recognized institutions with which the bond can be posted. For a list of these establishments seehttp://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=14494&section=text#appL.  

A carrier need not post a bond if it is not responsible for the inland movement of the cargo. 

D1-7-1 Posting Security for Transacting Bonded Operations http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d1/d1-7-1-eng.pdf