A CBSA-issued, non-bonded freight forwarder code is required for freight forwarders who plan to transmit Advance Commercial Information (ACI) supplementary cargo reports to the CBSA directly or through a service provider. If you are supplying cargo information through a carrier, then a code is not required.

A non-bonded freight forwarder cannot submit consolidated house bill data.

In addition to providing secondary cargo reports to the CBSA, a bonded freight forwarder may transport in-bond goods from point to point within Canada, including between sufferance warehouses.  No international movement or transportation of goods is allowed under a bonded freight forwarder code.

Note: Only freight forwarders physically located in Canada are eligible to apply for a bonded freight forwarder code.

A freight forwarder must be bonded to submit consolidated house bill data. A non-bonded freight forwarder that is in possession of a valid, non-bonded, CBSA-issued freight forwarder code can submit non-consolidated house bill data however the goods must be released at the First Point of Arrival (FPOA).